Mentes (Μέντης) is the name of the King of the Taphians and the son of Anchialus. He is mentioned in the Odyssey.
In Book I, the Goddess Athena disguises herself as Mentes, an old family friend of Odysseus, when she goes to visit his son, Telemachus. Athena, disguised as him, tells Telemachus that he is sailing to the city of Temese with his own crew, claiming that he is in search of copper. "Mentes" (truly Athena) recommends that Telemachus should call a counsel to try to remove the suitors. Then he should see King Nestor at Pylos and King Menelaus of Sparta, to make inquiries as to the whereabouts of his father. Upon his return, but he should kill the suitors, either by stealth or publicly.
Although Mentes had hardly any appearances in Greek myths of earlier antiquity, he became a symbol of a guardian and a mentor. Later, his name got a derogatory flavor and became a symbol of a sinister messenger.
He is not to be confused with Mentor, the elderly friend of Odysseus in whose care Telemachus was placed during the Trojan War. To add to the possible confusion, Athena also takes the guise of Mentor (in Book II of The Odyssey). Nor is this Mentes the same character as the Mentes in the Iliad, who is king of the Cicones.
In the Iliad, Mentes (Μέντης) is the King of the Cicones.
In Book XVII of The Iliad, Apollo disguises himself as Mentes to encourage Hector to fight Menelaus, ("Hector, now you're going after something you'll not catch, chasing the horses of warrior Achilles, descendant of Aeacus. No mortal man, except Achilles, can control or drive them, for an immortal mother gave him birth. Meanwhile, warrior Menelaus, Atreus' son, standing by Patroclus, has just killed the best man of the Trojans, Euphorbus, son of Panthous, ending his brave fight.") This is the only reference to the king in the text.
He is not the same character as the Mentes in the Odyssey, who is king of the Taphians.
Homer The Odyssey Book I excerpt (Athena is Mentes) good Derek Jacobi audio + Allen Mandelbaum text
Below is a summary of Book I of The Odyssey.
1) The poet begins by asking Muse (goddess of inspiration) for help in telling the story of Odysseus. In a few dozen opening lines readers are told much about Odysseus. Readers have trouble following these opening lines unless they already know about Odysseus.
2) But everything said in the opening lines is fleshed out later, explained in detail, such as how Odysseus' men did not survive the journey back from Troy since they ate the cattle of the sun god.
3) Poseidon is visiting the Ethiopians, or Africans, so the other 11 Mount Olympus divine beings have an opportunity to help Odysseus, a mortal has been thwarted for years by Poseidon, who resents our hero for poking out the eye of the sea god's Cyclops son named Polyphemus.
4) Greek g...
published: 04 May 2014
Edward J. Canfield Top #5 Facts
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Themes in Homer's Epic Poem The Odyssey
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Thank you
published: 18 Apr 2021
Aleksandra Klęczar - Win the best death and meet the Player-Creator!
Keynote by Aleksandra Klęczar: Win the best death and meet the Player-Creator! The meanings of games and gaming in ancient Greek and Roman cultures
Recorded during the History Of Games 2020 virtual conference.
https://www.history-of-games.com/programme-2020-temp/
published: 22 Oct 2020
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Part 2
published: 14 Dec 2020
Odyssey Project - Pop Culture Homer
This is my English project based on the Odyssey.
Put on captions for a summary of the Odyssey or you can just listen to the music.
This is my first composition I've put down to paper (well, musescore in this case) but I hope you enjoy!
Sheet music made with MuseScore - https://musescore.com
Below is a summary of Book I of The Odyssey.
1) The poet begins by asking Muse (goddess of inspiration) for help in telling the story of Odysseus. In a few ...
Below is a summary of Book I of The Odyssey.
1) The poet begins by asking Muse (goddess of inspiration) for help in telling the story of Odysseus. In a few dozen opening lines readers are told much about Odysseus. Readers have trouble following these opening lines unless they already know about Odysseus.
2) But everything said in the opening lines is fleshed out later, explained in detail, such as how Odysseus' men did not survive the journey back from Troy since they ate the cattle of the sun god.
3) Poseidon is visiting the Ethiopians, or Africans, so the other 11 Mount Olympus divine beings have an opportunity to help Odysseus, a mortal has been thwarted for years by Poseidon, who resents our hero for poking out the eye of the sea god's Cyclops son named Polyphemus.
4) Greek gods and goddesses are not omnipresent (that's a good SAT word to know). Poseidon is unable to be in two places at once, the text establishes.
5) Zeus is the first to speak in Homer's epic poem. Quote marks are used for Zeus after the poem's speaker asks Muse for help, for inspiration. Zeus makes the point that humans are wrong to blame the gods for anything that goes wrong.
6) For example, Aegisthus was recently killed by Orestes, who had been a mere child when the latter's father, Agamemnon, was murdered by Aegisthus (with help from the king's wife--she helped plan the murder in revenge for Agamemnon sacrificing their daughter ten years earlier at the start of the Trojan War).
7) Orestes finally reached manhood and slaughtered Aegisthus to avenge the murder of Agamemnon. Zeus talks about this when the powerful god first speaks.
8) Athena chimes in: "Dad, since you brought up the topic of Greek heroes returning to their homes, why don't we help Odysseus return home? There was no hope for Agamemnon, but Odysseus can return home safely if we help."
9) Zeus agrees that the time is right. He arranges for Hermes to fly to the island where Odysseus is held captive. Calypso, keeping Odysseus there in hopes that he will love her as much as this minor goddess loves him, is ordered to let the man go. Hermes must deliver this message to Calypso. (Is "minor goddess" an oxymoron? Calypso has less power than, say, Hera.)
10) Next, Athena puts on magical sandals and travels to the land of mortals. She takes her spear or lance ("shaft"), and with this she can kill anyone. She can put down armies of men.
11) But she has peaceful thoughts at this time. Her intention is to appear in disguise as a man named Mentes, ruler of the Taphians. She will spend time with the son of Odysseus, who is about 20 years old, far enough in years to start growing his first beard.
12) Athena's motive is to strengthen the young man's heart--he must not give up hope that the father will return. She will give advice, urging him to visit other places in Greece, such as Sparta, to ask about the missing father.
13) The son will learn much about life by doing this, also earning a fine reputation among the Greeks by asking others for news of Odysseus.
14) Telemachus should leave Ithaca for one more reason: that island has become dangerous for the son of Odysseus. The 108 rude suitors would like to see Telemachus dead since he seems to be an obstacle, standing in their way, making it difficult to marry Penelope.
15) Telemachus greets Mentes (again, this seems to be a man but is really Athena in disguise) and treats the stranger with kind hospitality as Greeks are supposed to treat strangers at the door. Others are rude to Mentes, but Telemachus has perfect manners. He proves worthy of Athena's divine help.
Homer The Odyssey Book I excerpt (Athena is Mentes) good Derek Jacobi audio + Allen Mandelbaum text
Below is a summary of Book I of The Odyssey.
1) The poet begins by asking Muse (goddess of inspiration) for help in telling the story of Odysseus. In a few dozen opening lines readers are told much about Odysseus. Readers have trouble following these opening lines unless they already know about Odysseus.
2) But everything said in the opening lines is fleshed out later, explained in detail, such as how Odysseus' men did not survive the journey back from Troy since they ate the cattle of the sun god.
3) Poseidon is visiting the Ethiopians, or Africans, so the other 11 Mount Olympus divine beings have an opportunity to help Odysseus, a mortal has been thwarted for years by Poseidon, who resents our hero for poking out the eye of the sea god's Cyclops son named Polyphemus.
4) Greek gods and goddesses are not omnipresent (that's a good SAT word to know). Poseidon is unable to be in two places at once, the text establishes.
5) Zeus is the first to speak in Homer's epic poem. Quote marks are used for Zeus after the poem's speaker asks Muse for help, for inspiration. Zeus makes the point that humans are wrong to blame the gods for anything that goes wrong.
6) For example, Aegisthus was recently killed by Orestes, who had been a mere child when the latter's father, Agamemnon, was murdered by Aegisthus (with help from the king's wife--she helped plan the murder in revenge for Agamemnon sacrificing their daughter ten years earlier at the start of the Trojan War).
7) Orestes finally reached manhood and slaughtered Aegisthus to avenge the murder of Agamemnon. Zeus talks about this when the powerful god first speaks.
8) Athena chimes in: "Dad, since you brought up the topic of Greek heroes returning to their homes, why don't we help Odysseus return home? There was no hope for Agamemnon, but Odysseus can return home safely if we help."
9) Zeus agrees that the time is right. He arranges for Hermes to fly to the island where Odysseus is held captive. Calypso, keeping Odysseus there in hopes that he will love her as much as this minor goddess loves him, is ordered to let the man go. Hermes must deliver this message to Calypso. (Is "minor goddess" an oxymoron? Calypso has less power than, say, Hera.)
10) Next, Athena puts on magical sandals and travels to the land of mortals. She takes her spear or lance ("shaft"), and with this she can kill anyone. She can put down armies of men.
11) But she has peaceful thoughts at this time. Her intention is to appear in disguise as a man named Mentes, ruler of the Taphians. She will spend time with the son of Odysseus, who is about 20 years old, far enough in years to start growing his first beard.
12) Athena's motive is to strengthen the young man's heart--he must not give up hope that the father will return. She will give advice, urging him to visit other places in Greece, such as Sparta, to ask about the missing father.
13) The son will learn much about life by doing this, also earning a fine reputation among the Greeks by asking others for news of Odysseus.
14) Telemachus should leave Ithaca for one more reason: that island has become dangerous for the son of Odysseus. The 108 rude suitors would like to see Telemachus dead since he seems to be an obstacle, standing in their way, making it difficult to marry Penelope.
15) Telemachus greets Mentes (again, this seems to be a man but is really Athena in disguise) and treats the stranger with kind hospitality as Greeks are supposed to treat strangers at the door. Others are rude to Mentes, but Telemachus has perfect manners. He proves worthy of Athena's divine help.
Homer The Odyssey Book I excerpt (Athena is Mentes) good Derek Jacobi audio + Allen Mandelbaum text
Keynote by Aleksandra Klęczar: Win the best death and meet the Player-Creator! The meanings of games and gaming in ancient Greek and Roman cultures
Recorded dur...
Keynote by Aleksandra Klęczar: Win the best death and meet the Player-Creator! The meanings of games and gaming in ancient Greek and Roman cultures
Recorded during the History Of Games 2020 virtual conference.
https://www.history-of-games.com/programme-2020-temp/
Keynote by Aleksandra Klęczar: Win the best death and meet the Player-Creator! The meanings of games and gaming in ancient Greek and Roman cultures
Recorded during the History Of Games 2020 virtual conference.
https://www.history-of-games.com/programme-2020-temp/
This is my English project based on the Odyssey.
Put on captions for a summary of the Odyssey or you can just listen to the music.
This is my first composition...
This is my English project based on the Odyssey.
Put on captions for a summary of the Odyssey or you can just listen to the music.
This is my first composition I've put down to paper (well, musescore in this case) but I hope you enjoy!
Sheet music made with MuseScore - https://musescore.com
This is my English project based on the Odyssey.
Put on captions for a summary of the Odyssey or you can just listen to the music.
This is my first composition I've put down to paper (well, musescore in this case) but I hope you enjoy!
Sheet music made with MuseScore - https://musescore.com
Below is a summary of Book I of The Odyssey.
1) The poet begins by asking Muse (goddess of inspiration) for help in telling the story of Odysseus. In a few dozen opening lines readers are told much about Odysseus. Readers have trouble following these opening lines unless they already know about Odysseus.
2) But everything said in the opening lines is fleshed out later, explained in detail, such as how Odysseus' men did not survive the journey back from Troy since they ate the cattle of the sun god.
3) Poseidon is visiting the Ethiopians, or Africans, so the other 11 Mount Olympus divine beings have an opportunity to help Odysseus, a mortal has been thwarted for years by Poseidon, who resents our hero for poking out the eye of the sea god's Cyclops son named Polyphemus.
4) Greek gods and goddesses are not omnipresent (that's a good SAT word to know). Poseidon is unable to be in two places at once, the text establishes.
5) Zeus is the first to speak in Homer's epic poem. Quote marks are used for Zeus after the poem's speaker asks Muse for help, for inspiration. Zeus makes the point that humans are wrong to blame the gods for anything that goes wrong.
6) For example, Aegisthus was recently killed by Orestes, who had been a mere child when the latter's father, Agamemnon, was murdered by Aegisthus (with help from the king's wife--she helped plan the murder in revenge for Agamemnon sacrificing their daughter ten years earlier at the start of the Trojan War).
7) Orestes finally reached manhood and slaughtered Aegisthus to avenge the murder of Agamemnon. Zeus talks about this when the powerful god first speaks.
8) Athena chimes in: "Dad, since you brought up the topic of Greek heroes returning to their homes, why don't we help Odysseus return home? There was no hope for Agamemnon, but Odysseus can return home safely if we help."
9) Zeus agrees that the time is right. He arranges for Hermes to fly to the island where Odysseus is held captive. Calypso, keeping Odysseus there in hopes that he will love her as much as this minor goddess loves him, is ordered to let the man go. Hermes must deliver this message to Calypso. (Is "minor goddess" an oxymoron? Calypso has less power than, say, Hera.)
10) Next, Athena puts on magical sandals and travels to the land of mortals. She takes her spear or lance ("shaft"), and with this she can kill anyone. She can put down armies of men.
11) But she has peaceful thoughts at this time. Her intention is to appear in disguise as a man named Mentes, ruler of the Taphians. She will spend time with the son of Odysseus, who is about 20 years old, far enough in years to start growing his first beard.
12) Athena's motive is to strengthen the young man's heart--he must not give up hope that the father will return. She will give advice, urging him to visit other places in Greece, such as Sparta, to ask about the missing father.
13) The son will learn much about life by doing this, also earning a fine reputation among the Greeks by asking others for news of Odysseus.
14) Telemachus should leave Ithaca for one more reason: that island has become dangerous for the son of Odysseus. The 108 rude suitors would like to see Telemachus dead since he seems to be an obstacle, standing in their way, making it difficult to marry Penelope.
15) Telemachus greets Mentes (again, this seems to be a man but is really Athena in disguise) and treats the stranger with kind hospitality as Greeks are supposed to treat strangers at the door. Others are rude to Mentes, but Telemachus has perfect manners. He proves worthy of Athena's divine help.
Homer The Odyssey Book I excerpt (Athena is Mentes) good Derek Jacobi audio + Allen Mandelbaum text
Keynote by Aleksandra Klęczar: Win the best death and meet the Player-Creator! The meanings of games and gaming in ancient Greek and Roman cultures
Recorded during the History Of Games 2020 virtual conference.
https://www.history-of-games.com/programme-2020-temp/
This is my English project based on the Odyssey.
Put on captions for a summary of the Odyssey or you can just listen to the music.
This is my first composition I've put down to paper (well, musescore in this case) but I hope you enjoy!
Sheet music made with MuseScore - https://musescore.com