Leodes Explained

In the Odyssey, Leodes, Leiodes or Liodes (;) was an Ithacan diviner and a minor suitor of Penelope.^[1] He had darkly predicted that Odysseus would return to avenge the suitors' abuse of hospitality.

Family

Leodes was the son of Oenops.^[2]

Mythology

As the sacrificial priest to the suitors, Liodes hated the evil deeds of the suitors and was indignant with the others.^[3] He was the first to test Odysseus' bow of which he said would break the heart and be the death of many.^[4] Leodes was the last person whom Odysseus killed in his homecoming rampage, decapitated while pleading for his life:

References

• Apollodorus, The Library with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. ISBN 0-674-99135-4. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.
• Homer, The Odyssey with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, PH.D. in two volumes. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1919. . Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.

Notes and References

1. [Bibliotheca (Pseudo-Apollodorus)|Apollodorus]
2. [Homer]
3. Homer, Odyssey 21.145–147
4. Homer, Odyssey 21.148–156