Penelope with some of the suitors.
The Suitors of Penelope are the hundred men who each tried to marry Penelope while Odysseus was on his way back to Ithaca.
History[]
Penelope's husband Odysseus, king of Ithaca, goes off to fight in the 10-year Trojan War. While most survivors return relatively soon, it takes Odysseus another ten years to return home, and in this time the suitor's court Penelope, whom they believe (or hope) has become a widow.
Once Odysseus returns home (whom Athena initially disguises as a beggar so he can plot his revenge in secret), his son Telemachus tells him that there are 108 suitors: 52 from Dulichium, 24 from Same, 20 Achaeans from Zacynthus, and 12 from Ithaca.
Under the pretext of courting Penelope, the suitors proceed to spend their days at Odysseus' house, feasting on the livestock. After Odysseus returns home, he meets with Penelope in secret where she organizes a contest where the person who can string Odysseus' bow will become his successor. Upon a disguised Odysseus winning the contest, Odysseus sheds his disguise and kills all of the suitors with the help of Telemachus and Philoeteus.
Known Suitors[]
- Agelaus, son of Damastor
- Amphimedon, son of Melaneus.
- Amphinomus, son of Nisos
- Antinous, son of Eupeithes
- Ctesippus of Same, son of Polytherses
- Demoptolemus
- Elatus
- Euryades
- Eurydamas
- Eurymachus, son of Polybus
- Eurynomus, son of Aegyptius
- Leiocritus, son of Evenor
- Leiodes, son of Oenops
- Peisander, son of Polyctor
- Polybus, son of Polyctor and father of Eurymachus
The Heroes of Olympus[]
The Blood of Olympus[]
They are seen by Jason Grace when he, Piper McLean, and Annabeth Chase are on their way to an ancient palace of Odysseus.