odyssey

[arvgreen]

How old is odysseus when he finally returns home?

[dfloyd]

Odysseus was old enough to have a child by Penelope before he left for the Trojan war. When the Acheans came to Ithica to get him to join their forces, he pretended insanity by sowing a field before plowing, but when the Acheans place Telemechus in the way of the plow, Odysseus turned the plow away from his infant son, proving he was in his right mind. so he was probably 18-20 years of age at this time. As The Iliad starts, the Acheans and Trojans had been battling for 10 years. After the sack of Troy, Odysseus lived with various mistresses, including Circe, for a number of years, plus his travels took some more time. Homer says he didn't reach home for 20 years. So add them up: 18-20 + 10 + 20 = right around 50 years of age.