The Prophecy of Haterus and the Refutation of Eurymachus.
People who saw the eagle were astonished and wondered what would happen next. In the assembly, an old man named Halitherses, skilled in interpreting omens and speaking words of divine will, began to speak. He told the people of Ithaca, especially the suitors, that a great disaster was approaching them, that Odysseus would soon return, and that he would bring death and destruction upon them. Furthermore, he said that other people of Ithaca would also suffer misfortune. He urged them to think about how to stop the suitors before the disaster occurred, and suggested that they themselves should quickly end their actions. Halitherses prophesied to Odysseus on his way to Troy that he would lose all his companions and return home alone after twenty years, unknown to anyone. He said that this prophecy was now coming true.
| Words and phrases. | Translation note. |
|---|---|
| Haritelces. | He is an old man from the Itake clan, a descendant of Masuto, who can read divine will from signs related to birds. He interprets two eagles as omens of Odysseus's return and the impending disaster that will befall the suitors. |
Eurymachus mocked Halitherses, saying, "Go home and read the fate of your own children. You are not as skilled at divination as I am." He also said that since many birds were flying, it did not necessarily mean good omens. He scolded him for dying in a distant land with Odysseus, and he should have died along with him. He accused Halitherses of trying to anger Telemachus and entice him because he wanted gifts from him. He criticized Halitherses for using his knowledge of the past to provoke young people, saying that it would not stop the suitors and would only cause him suffering. If Halitherses was unhappy with being punished, he threatened that the suitors would immediately punish him.
Next, Eurymachus instructed Telemachus to send his mother back to her father's house, saying that the suitors would arrange the marriage and prepare wedding gifts. They said they would prepare many gifts suitable for a beloved daughter.
| Words and phrases. | Translation note. |
|---|---|
| Wedding gifts. | Here, I will describe the gifts that Eurymachus says are prepared by suitors when they arrange a marriage. |
Until Penelope's marriage is decided, the suitors will not stop their troublesome courtship. They do not fear Telemachus or Halitherses' prophecy, and they believe that the old man's prediction will not come true, so they dislike him even more. While Penelope delays her marriage, her property is being consumed and will never be recovered. Nevertheless, the suitors remain in the house every day, arguing about her merits. Eurylochus said that each of them has another suitable partner, but they do not go to other women.