As the sun rose, Telemachus's ship arrived at Pylos, where the people sat on the beaches and sacrificed bulls to Poseidon. They docked the ship and then got off the ship, with Telemachus last. Athena urged Telemachus to be brave, and reminded him of their purpose there. Telemachus was nervous about finding the right words to say, but Athena reassured him that he would find half of the words within himself, and the rest he would be inspired to say. Athena, in the shape of Mentor, then led Telemachus to the meeting place of the Pylians. Nestor, the king sat there, surrounded by his friends, family, and the food of the banquet.
As soon as Nestor saw the strangers, he welcomed them to eat, and urged them to sit down. Nestor then passed things to Telemachus and Athena to be offered to the gods as a sacrifice. Nestor then asked Athena to say a prayer to Poseidon, and then pass the cup with the offerings in it to Telemachus, so he could thank the gods as well. Athena prayed to Poseidon, asking for glory to Nestor, his sons, and his people, and to get Athena and Telemachus safely home. Telemachus then repeated her prayer.
After the sacrifices here made, the crowd started feasting, and Nestor asked Athena and Telemachus who they were and where they were from. Telemachus answered saying that he was Odysseus's son, and that he was on a mission to gain news about his father's return home. Nestor replied saying that Telemachus's request brought back awful memories of the time during the Trojan War. Many men died, such as Ajax, Achilles, Patroclus, and Nestor's son, as well. For nine years, Nestor and his allies fought against the Trojans, with Odysseus excelling at strategy. At the end of the war, there was a fight about how to go home. Agamemnon wanted to stay there, to apease Athena's wrath, but Menelaus and Nestor wanted to go home right away. At dawn, half of the leaders sailed away with their troops, while the others stayed behind. However, Zeus did not intend for them to return quickly, as there was soon a huge storm. Odysseus and a few others turned their ships around and sailed back, but Nestor continued forward. The remaining men asked for a sign, and a path home was shown to them. Finally Nestor made it home, but he had no idea what had happened to the others.
After this, Telemachus then goes on to talk about the suitors that infest his house. Nestor asks Telemachus why he puts up with e suitors, and that if Odysseus ever came home, he would take revenge. If only, said Nestor, the Athena would care for Telemachus like she cared for Odysseus. Then, all of the suitors would leave forever. Telemachus said that this would never happen (that Odysseus would come home and the suitors would leave), but Athena cut in and said that it is easy for a god to save a mortal and that she would rather take years coming home, rather than speed home, and then be killed there. Telemachus then suggested that they didn't speak of Odysseus anymore, but instead asked Nestor how Agamemnon died.
Nestor agreed to tell the story. While Agamemnon was at war, Aegisthus was at home, and started trying to talk and get closer to Agamemnon's wife Clytemnestra. At first the queen pushed Aegisthus away, but soon, Aegisthus took Clytemnestra to his own castle, and she began cheating on her husband. Aegisthus ruled for seven years, but on the eigth year, Agamemnon's son, Orestes, killed Aegisthus. After this story, Nestor warned Telemachus not to go away from home for too long, but suggested that he still see Menelaus to ask him about Odysseus. Nestor offered the use of some of his chariots to make the trip to Sparta by land. Athena then suggested that they head to bed to prepare for their journey tomorrow. Nestor offered a bed to Telemachus and Mentor (Athena in disguise), but Athena declined. She said that she would stay with the crew and give them orders because she was the only veteran and Telemachus could sleep in Nestor's palace. After that discussion, Athena turned into an eagle and flew away.
King Nestor was amazed and said to Telemachus that he should never be afraid because at this age the gods already guard him. To Athena he asked for good fortune and in return he would sacrifice a cow to Athena. They all went inside the palace and Nestor prepared the sacrifice. Nestor gave Telemachus a bed and they all went to sleep.
The next morning the cow was brought into the hall and gold was poured onto its horns. Athena came as well to watch this sacrifice be performed. One of Nestor's sons stood ready with an axe while another son held a bowl for the blood. Nestor began to pray and when he was finished, his son chopped the cow's head off. They collected certain parts of the cow and burned them as sacrifice to Athena. After that they cooked and ate the rest of the meat of the cow. Nestor then put together a chariot and a team for Telemachus so he could go to Sparta the next day.
No comments:
Post a Comment