Eumaios
mythological figure · 2 works · 11 mentions · 48 anchored passages
the swineherd · Eumaeus · Eumaeus, the son of Ctesius son of Ormenus · Father Eumaios · Swineherd · swineherd · swineherd Eumaios
in the texts
Odyssey
The loyal swineherd of Odysseus, who unknowingly hosts his disguised master with generous hospitality while mourning his absence.
To this you answered, O swineherd Eumaios, "Poor unhappy stranger, I have found the story of your misfortunes extremely interesting, but that part about Odysseus is not right [ kosmos];
But Eumaios called to his men and said, "Bring in the best pig you have, that I may sacrifice for this stranger, and we will take toll of him ourselves.
To this you answered, O swineherd Eumaios, "Old man, you will neither get paid for bringing good news, nor will Odysseus ever come home;
Orations
Odysseus's loyal swineherd in the Odyssey, cited as an example of a poor man who nonetheless offers generous hospitality.
for he has represented Eumaeus, a slave and poor, nonetheless receiving Odysseus well with food and bed, while the suitors out of wealth and insolence did not very readily share with him even of others' goods, as he is himself represented saying to Antinous, reproaching his meanness:
as though it were the custom to treat poor strangers thus exactly and ungenerously, but to receive only the wealthy kindly with hospitality and gifts, from whom plainly they too expected to obtain the like — much such as are the dispositions of men now as regards humanity and intent.
or to prove that Odysseus, nowhere seen for twenty years, had come — and that within set days;