'Ὁμήρου Ὀδύσσεια (Ραψῳδία 03) - The Odyssey (Book 03)' Summary

The third book of the Odyssey opens with Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, calling an assembly of the people of Ithaca to discuss the suitors who have been pestering his mother, Penelope, to marry one of them. Telemachus seeks advice from the elders of the island, but they are unable to help him. He then decides to travel to Pylos to seek the advice of Nestor, an old friend of his father. Nestor tells Telemachus that Odysseus is alive and well, and that he is on his way home to Ithaca. He also advises Telemachus to seek the help of Menelaus, the king of Sparta, who is married to Helen, the woman whose abduction by Paris sparked the Trojan War. Telemachus follows Nestor's advice and travels to Sparta, where he meets Menelaus and Helen. Menelaus tells Telemachus that Odysseus was stranded on the island of Calypso for seven years, but that he has finally escaped and is on his way home. Telemachus returns to Ithaca with this news, and he and Penelope begin to make plans for Odysseus's return.