Phemius
Ithacan bard forced to sing for the suitors, spared by Odysseus after the slaughter
The Legend of Phemius
Phemius was the court poet of Odysseus' household in Ithaca. During the twenty years of his master's absence, the suitors compelled Phemius to entertain them at their feasts, and he sang under duress rather than willingly. When Penelope heard him singing of the Greeks' sorrowful returns from Troy, she wept and asked him to choose a different theme. After Odysseus slaughtered the suitors, Phemius threw himself at the hero's feet, clutching his lyre, and begged for mercy. Telemachus interceded, confirming that the bard had performed unwillingly. Odysseus spared him, along with the herald Medon.
Parents
Terpius
Symbols
Fun Fact
He is one of only two men in the hall spared by Odysseus, saved by his lyre and Telemachus' word
Explore Further
Demodocus
🗡 heroNone recorded
Blind bard of the Phaeacians whose songs moved Odysseus to reveal his identity
Leodes
🗡 heroNone recorded
Reluctant suitor and sacrificial priest who failed to string Odysseus' bow
Orpheus
🗡 heroLegendary musician and poet
The greatest musician in Greek mythology, whose playing could charm animals, trees, and even stones. His descent into the underworld to rescue his wife is one of myth's most poignant tales.
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🗡 heroThe musician whose art moved gods and stones
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Amphinomus
🗡 heroNone recorded
The most decent of Penelope's suitors, killed despite Odysseus' veiled warning to flee
Antinous
🗡 heroNone recorded
The most arrogant of the suitors who occupied Odysseus' palace in Ithaca
Ctesippus
🗡 heroNone recorded
Violent suitor from Same who threw an ox hoof at the disguised Odysseus
Eurymachus
🗡 heroNone recorded
Prominent suitor of Penelope who used charm and deception to dominate Odysseus' hall
Linus
🗡 heroNone recorded
Legendary musician and teacher killed by his pupil Heracles with a lyre
Busiris
🗡 heroNone recorded
Egyptian king who sacrificed strangers to Zeus until Heracles broke free and killed him
Lichas
🗡 heroNone recorded
Herald of Heracles who unwittingly delivered the poisoned robe that killed his master
Megara
🗡 heroNone recorded
First wife of Heracles, given to him as a reward and later killed in his madness