Age -- 44
Homeland -- Ithaca
Occupation -- King and general

The ruler of the island of Ithaca, Odysseus was one of the most prominent Greek champions in the Trojan War. The stratagem of the Trojan Horse was his idea. Following the victory at Troy, he set out on his ten year journey home, chronicled for all time by Homer in the epic poem, The Odyssey. Along the way, Odysseus and his crew had to deal with many adventures and misfortunes, some of their own making and some thanks to intervention of the gods. By blinding the Cyclops Polyphemus, they incurred the wrath of Poseidon who troubled them for years. Thanks to help from Zeus and other gods, Odysseus arrived home alone to find his wife Penelope plagued by suitors. Disguised as a beggar he first determined that Penelope had been faithful, and then slew the men pursuing her and cleansed his palace. This triggered a final battle against the families of the men killed, but peace was restored by Athena.