The Odyssey of Homer
Rodney Merrill
Rodney Merrill reads the Odyssey in his translation. In the Afterword he introduces the poem and explains his use of a strict dactylic-hexameter meter like that of the ancient oral epic. The book itself, published by the University of Michigan Press, may be previewed on the Press's website at https://www.press.umich.edu/17216/odyssey/?s=description. Translated and read by Rodney Merrill Recorded by Derek Bianchi, MuscleTone Studio, Berkeley, California Uploaded by Nathan Levine Copyright © by the University of Michigan 2002 All rights reserved
Episodes
Odyssey 1.1-143
Proem; the gods in council; Athena goes to Ithaka, and Telémachos greets her.
Odyssey 1.144-324
The suitors dine; Athena advises Telémachos to seek news of his father
Odyssey 1.325-444
Penelope appears; Telémachos bids her to return and scolds the suitors.
Odyssey 2.1-145
In assembly Telémachos complains of the suitors, Antínoös of Penelope.
Odyssey 2.146-259
Halithérses warns them; Telémachos tells of his voyage; Mentor scolds them.
Odyssey 2.260-434
Athena encourages Telémachos; Antínoös tries to soothe him; he sets forth.
Odyssey 3.1-117
In Pylos Nestor greets and questions him and talks about the heroes at Troy.
Odyssey 3.118-252
The heroes’ Returns; Telémachos tells his troubles and asks of Agamemnon.
Odyssey 3.253-370
Agamemnon’s death, Orestes’ revenge; Nestor bids Telémachos to go to Sparta.
Odyssey 3.371-497
Nestor sacrifices to Athena; Telémachos leaves for Sparta with Peisístratos.
Odyssey 4.1-119
Meneláos greets them, speaks of his travels, and regrets his comrades at Troy.
Odyssey 4.120-264
Helen names Telémachos; all mourn Odysseus; Helen tells a story of him.
Odyssey 4.265-397
Meneláos tells tales of Odysseus and of his own travels and what he learned.
Odyssey 4.398-510
With his daughter’s help, Proteus is captured and tells Meneláos what to do.
Odyssey 4.511-624
Proteus talks of Agamemnon and Odysseus; Meneláos returns to Egypt.
Odyssey 4.625-714
The suitors decide to ambush Telémachos; Medon tells Penelope he left.
Odyssey 4.715-837
Penelope scolds her maids; the suitors set their ambush; Penelope sleeps.
Odyssey 5.1-115
Obeying Zeus, Hermes orders Kalÿpso to free Odysseus, who weeps by the sea.
Odyssey 5.116-227
Kalÿpso complains but obeys and tells Odysseus; he exacts an oath of her.
Odyssey 5.228-364
She helps him build a raft-boat; he departs; Poseidon raises a storm.
Odyssey 5.365-493
A wave shatters the raft; two days later Odysseus lands in Scheria.
Odyssey 6.1-109
Naúsikaä goes down to do laundry with her maids; they eat and play with a ball.
Odyssey 6.110-217
Their shouts awaken Odysseus; he seeks help, and the girl gives it.
Odyssey 6.218-331
Athena improves his looks; the girl admires him; they return, and he prays.
Odyssey 7.1-132
Athena guides him to the marvelous palace and tells him to approach Arétè.
Odyssey 7.133-229
He implores the queen’s aid; King Alkínoös grants him conveyance.
Odyssey 7.230-346
Arétè asks of his clothes; he tells his story; the King admires him.
Odyssey 8.1-130
The king orders a convoy; Odysseus cries, hearing of his quarrel with Achilles.
Odyssey 8.131-255
The youths compete and bid Odysseus to join; he wins the discus-throw.
Odyssey 8.256-369
After they dance, Demódokos sings the story of Ares and Aphrodítè.
Odyssey 8.370-468
Odysseus praises the singer; they bring him gifts; Naúsikaä says farewell.
Odyssey 8.469-585
Demódokos sings of the Wooden Horse; Alkínoös requests Odysseus’ story.
Odyssey 9.1-151
Odysseus tell his name and his story: the Kikonians, Lotus-eaters, Cyklops.
Odyssey 9.152-306
In a great cave, they are questioned by the Cyklops, who eats two men.
Odyssey 9.307-436
Blinded with a stake, the Cyklops tells his neighbors Nobody hurt him.
Odyssey 9.437-566
They escape beneath sheep; Odysseus taunts the Cyklops, who curses him.
Odyssey 10.1-132
Aíolos’ wind-bag untied, they return; the Laistrygonians destroy many ships.
Odyssey 10.133-273
In Aiaía Circè enchants several men; Eurÿlochos returns to tell Odysseus.
Odyssey 10.274-448
Hermes helps him; he resists Circè, and they go to bed; she frees his men.
Odyssey 10.449-574
After a year, his men tell him to leave, and she advises him on the voyage.
Odyssey 11.1-137
They arrive at Hades, sacrifice, see Elpenor; Teiresias counsels Odysseus.
Odyssey 11.138-259
He talks to his mother about her death, then listens to women of old times.
Odyssey 11.260-384
More women’s stories. The rulers get him gifts and ask him to continue.
Odyssey 11.385-540
He talks to Agamemnon and Achilles about their sufferings and their sons.
Odyssey 11.541-640
Ajax ignores him; he sees other mythical figures; they leave Hades.
Odyssey 12.1-152
Back in Aiaía, Circè advises Odysseus about his homeward voyage.
Odyssey 12.153-302
He and his men encounter Skylla and Charÿbdis and arrive at Thrinakia.
Odyssey 12.303-453
The comrades kill the cows of the sun and are lost in a shipwreck.
Odyssey 13.1-124
The Phaiákians give Odysseus presents and convey him to Ithaka.
Odyssey 13.125-286
Poseidon changes the Phaiákian ship to stone; Athena meets Odysseus.