The uprising of the citizens and their reconciliation with Odysseus

Meanwhile, word spread around the city that all the suitors were killed by the returned Odyssey. With a cry of indignation, the relatives of the suitors and all the people ran to the palace of Odysseus and carried out the dead. Then they gathered in the town square and began to discuss what to do to them. Father Antinous, old Eupate, began to excite all the people to rise up against Odysseus and take revenge on him for the death of the suitors. Only the singer Femiy and the herald Medont urged citizens not to raise their hands against Odysseus, as they saw for themselves that the gods were on the side of Odysseus, and the suitors died at the will of Zeus. The soothsayer Galifers also defended Odysseus. He reminded the citizens how he and Mentor had advised them not to allow the suitors to rampage in the house of Odysseus. The citizens themselves are now to blame. It is better to submit to Odysseus, so as not to incur even more trouble. Some of the citizens obeyed Halifax, while some, led by Eupate, rushed for weapons. The goddess Athena saw all this from high Olympus and asked the thunderer Zeus:

- Father Zeus! Tell me, what have you decided? Will you now stir up a great battle, or will you establish peace between the warring parties?

- My dear daughter! - Zeus answered Athena, - after all, you decided that you should take revenge on the suitors of Odysseus. He took revenge and had the right to do so. Odysseus will be the king of Ithaca. We will forget the death of the suitors. As before, love will reign in Ithaca, there will be wealth and peace there.

That's what Zeus said. Athena immediately rushed to Ithaca. The citizens were already approaching Laertes' house in a large crowd. One of the sons saw them Dolia. All those who were in the house armed themselves. Even the elders Laertes and Dolius armed themselves. They went out of the house into the yard. Odysseus appeared under the guise of Mentor goddess Athena. He was delighted to recognize the goddess, and turning to Telemachus, he said:

- My son! Now prove that you remember that you come from a glorious family, famous throughout the earth for its valor.

- Beloved father! Telemachus exclaimed, "you will see that I will not put your glorious family to shame!

Laertes also heard these words. Joy filled his heart, and he exclaimed:

- 0, what day are you sending me, gods! How glad I am! My son and grandson are arguing about who is braver!

Athena approached Laertes and ordered him to throw a spear at his enemies without aiming, calling for the help of the goddess Athena and father Zeus. Laertes shook his spear and threw it. The spear pierced the copper helmet of Eupate, crushed his skull, and he fell dead to the ground. Odysseus and Telemachus rushed at the enemies. All the citizens of Ithaca would have died if the goddess Athena had not shouted menacingly:

- Stop the battle, citizens of Ithaca! Hurry up and disperse without shedding blood!

- Godly son of Laertes, tame your heart! Refrain from a bloody battle, so that Zeus the Thunderer will not be angry with you!