Eurymachos (son of Polybos)
Eurymachos ( ancient Greek Εὐρύμαχος ) is a figure in Greek mythology . In Homer's epic poem Odyssey , he is portrayed as one of Penelope's suitors , who were killed by the returning Odysseus .
Role in Homer's Odyssey
Eurymachos was a son of the Ithak nobleman Polybos . When Odysseus found himself on long wanderings after his participation in the Trojan War and after 16 years of absence in his homeland Ithaca was gradually considered lost, his faithful wife Penelope was increasingly harassed by suitors who settled in Odysseus' house, where a dissolute gourmet existence and squandered the absent landlord's wealth. Eurymachus was one of them; he was one of the most respected of them along with Antinous . In board games organized by the crowd, he was often the winner. Telemachus , the young son of Odysseus, was no match for the occupiers of his father's palace, but three years after their appearance he acted more resolutely against them when he, now an adult, had received advice from his patron goddess Athena on his future course of action. At first he called on the suitors in a popular assembly that he had called in vain to leave his house. According to Antinous, Eurymachos also demanded that Telemachos send his mother to her father Ikarios , who would remarry her. Telemachus refused this request and, after his failure, went on a journey of discovery to find out where his father was, who, however, returned to his homeland before Telemachus.
Odysseus came to his palace unrecognized as a beggar and, with Telemachus' help, planned to take revenge on the suitors. Eurymachos had meanwhile taken a servant Penelope, Melantho , as her lover, who like other maidservants had not remained loyal to her mistress and was abusive to Odysseus, whom she did not recognize in his masquerade. The hero who had returned was also treated in a degrading manner by many suitors. Eurymachus, for example, mocked the "beggar" for being bald, and maliciously invited him to come into his service as a servant. When Odysseus answered vehemently, Eurymachus threw a stool at him, but missed him and found a tavern instead. Telemachos interfered indignantly and Amphinomos , the most peaceful of the suitors, calmed the situation with his request to go to bed.
When the next day Penelope ordered an archery competition for her applicants and promised the winner her hand, they all lacked the strength to draw Odysseus' bow. This embarrassed and saddened Eurymachus in particular. Thereupon the "beggar" passed this test of strength and shot the arrow as requested through the shaft holes of twelve axes placed one behind the other. Immediately afterwards Odysseus dropped his mask and shot Antinous first. Although Eurymachos sought a reconciliation with Odysseus, who now revealed himself, and offered reparation, the hero knew no mercy. When Eurymachus therefore attacked Odysseus with the sword, he was killed by him with an arrow. With the help of Telemachos and less faithful, the hero also took care of the other suitors.
literature
- Ulrich Hoefer : Eurymachos 4). In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume VI, 1, Stuttgart 1907, column 1333.