Melanthius (Odyssey)
Melanthius (
Mythology
Melanthius provides the best goats of the herd for a feast for the suitors of Penelope.[1] He serves the suitors at the dining table, pouring them wine[2] or lighting a fire in the hall upon their order.[3] He is apparently favored by many of them: Eurymachus is said to like him best of all, and he is allowed to have meals in the same dining hall with the suitors.[4]
Odysseus, disguised as a beggar and accompanied by Eumaeus, encounters Melanthius on his way into town, by the fountain dedicated to the nymphs. Melanthius immediately taunts Odysseus and proceeds to kick him on the hip, unaware that he is really dishonoring his master, causing Odysseus to consider attacking him.[5] Later, when Odysseus is brought in front of the suitors, Melanthius asserts that he knows nothing of the stranger and that Eumaeus alone is responsible for bringing him in. His speech results in the suitors' rebuking Eumaeus.[6]
Early in the battle with the suitors, Eumaeus and Philoetius catch Melanthius trying to steal more weapons and armour for the suitors. On the orders of Odysseus, they bind him and string him up from the rafters, where he is mocked by Eumaeus.
According to Malcolm Davies of
Namesake
- 12973 Melanthios, a Jovian asteroid
References
- Davies, Malcolm (1994). "Odyssey 22.474-7: Murder or Mutilation?". JSTOR 639657.
- Newton, Rick M. (1997). "Odysseus and Melanthius". Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies. 38 (1). Duke University: 5–18. - profile
- Homer, and Stanley Lombardo. Odyssey. Indianapolis: Hackett Pub. Co, 2000.
- .
Notes
- ^ Homer, Odyssey 20.174
- ^ Homer, Odyssey 20.226
- ^ Homer, Odyssey 21.163
- ^ Homer, Odyssey 17.257 ff.
- ^ Homer, Odyssey 17.212 ff.
- ^ Homer, Odyssey 17.370–375
- ^ Homer, Odyssey 22.161–203
- ^ Homer, Odyssey 22.458–488
- ^ Davies, p. 536.
- ^ a b c Newton, p. 6.
- ^ Davies, p. 535.
- ^ Davies, p. 535-536.
- ^ Davies, p. 536.
- ^ William Smith (ed.). "Mela'nthius". A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. London: John Murray. Retrieved 2024-03-22 – via Tufts University.
- Cambridge Core. - Cited: page 153.