Eumaeus
heroEumaeus was the loyal swineherd who sheltered the disguised Odysseus on Ithaca — proof that nobility lies in character, not birth.
The Myth
Born a prince but kidnapped and sold into slavery as a child, Eumaeus served Odysseus's household faithfully for twenty years. When Odysseus returned disguised as a beggar, Eumaeus welcomed him with the best hospitality a poor man could offer. He helped Odysseus and Telemachus plan and execute the slaughter of the suitors. Homer calls him "divine swineherd" — the highest compliment, reserved elsewhere for kings and warriors.
Parents
Ctesius (a king)
Symbols
Fun Fact
Homer calls Eumaeus "divine swineherd" and addresses him directly ("you, Eumaeus") — the only character in the Odyssey honoured with second-person narration.
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