Far from the windy plains of Troy

April 16, 1178 BC -



Two of King Odysseus’ old friends recognize him, his aged nurse, Eurycleia, and Argos, the only dog to whom Homer have a name.

...But the moment he sensed Odysseus standing by he thumped his tail, nuzzling low, and his ears dropped, though he had no strength to drag himself an inch toward his master. Odysseus glanced to the side and flicked away a tear, hidingit from Eumaeus...

 ... he entered the palace and went to the hallwhere the suitors were assembled at one of their banquets.And just thendeath came and darkened the eyes of Argos,who had seen Odysseus again after twenty years.



... That was the scar [Euycleia] was then holding in her hands.
She traced it out and recognized it.  She dropped his foot.
His leg fell in the basin, and the bronze rang out.
It tipped onto its side.  Water spilled out on the ground.                        
All at once, joy and sorrow gripped her heart.  Her eyes
filled up with tears, and her full voice was speechless.
She reached up to Odysseus' chin and said:

It's true, dear child. You are Odysseus, and I didn't know you,                              
not till I'd touched all my master's body.


And so it goes.