Irus
Encyclopedia
Irus was a nickname given to Arnaeus (Ἀρναῖος) the beggar, due to his willingness to run messages for the suitors (see also Iris
, the divine rainbow messenger). He was a beggar in Ithaca
who sees Odysseus
(disguised as a beggar) encroaching on his territory so he becomes aggressive and begins to insult him. They go back and forth threatening each other until Antinous
notices the confrontation and exclaims that watching the two beggars square off would be entertaining. Antinous says that the winner of the fight will be given food and would be permitted to dine with the suitors. The rest of the suitors crowded around the two beggars and they prepared to fight. Odysseus removed his rags and tied them around his waist, revealing a surprisingly muscular body because Athena
was standing close by making him appear bigger and stronger than he was. When Irus saw this he was intimidated but the suitors pushed him towards Odysseus. Odysseus entertained the idea of killing Irus but then decided he should just knock him out so the suitors would not suspect anything. Irus aimed a punch at Odysseus but before he could do anything Odysseus hit him below the ear, crushing his jawbone. Irus crumpled and Odysseus dragged him outside the hall, leaned him up against the courtyard wall, and told him to sit there and scare off the pigs and dogs. He also threatened that if Irus did not stop pushing around the other beggars things would get worse. Irus's appearance within the epic develops the Homeric themes of savagery, punishing the inhospitable, and appearances vs. reality.
Iris (mythology)
In Greek mythology, Iris is the personification of the rainbow and messenger of the gods. As the sun unites Earth and heaven, Iris links the gods to humanity...
, the divine rainbow messenger). He was a beggar in Ithaca
Ithaca
Ithaca or Ithaka is an island located in the Ionian Sea, in Greece, with an area of and a little more than three thousand inhabitants. It is also a separate regional unit of the Ionian Islands region, and the only municipality of the regional unit. It lies off the northeast coast of Kefalonia and...
who sees Odysseus
Odysseus
Odysseus or Ulysses was a legendary Greek king of Ithaca and the hero of Homer's epic poem the Odyssey. Odysseus also plays a key role in Homer's Iliad and other works in the Epic Cycle....
(disguised as a beggar) encroaching on his territory so he becomes aggressive and begins to insult him. They go back and forth threatening each other until Antinous
Antinous son of Eupeithes
In Greek mythology, Antinous , son of Eupeithes, is most known for his role in Homer’s Odyssey. One of two prominent suitors vying for Penelope’s hand in marriage, the other being Eurymachus, Antinous is presented as a violent, mean-spirited character who willfully defiles Odysseus’ home while the...
notices the confrontation and exclaims that watching the two beggars square off would be entertaining. Antinous says that the winner of the fight will be given food and would be permitted to dine with the suitors. The rest of the suitors crowded around the two beggars and they prepared to fight. Odysseus removed his rags and tied them around his waist, revealing a surprisingly muscular body because Athena
Athena
In Greek mythology, Athena, Athenê, or Athene , also referred to as Pallas Athena/Athene , is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts, justice, and skill. Minerva, Athena's Roman incarnation, embodies similar attributes. Athena is...
was standing close by making him appear bigger and stronger than he was. When Irus saw this he was intimidated but the suitors pushed him towards Odysseus. Odysseus entertained the idea of killing Irus but then decided he should just knock him out so the suitors would not suspect anything. Irus aimed a punch at Odysseus but before he could do anything Odysseus hit him below the ear, crushing his jawbone. Irus crumpled and Odysseus dragged him outside the hall, leaned him up against the courtyard wall, and told him to sit there and scare off the pigs and dogs. He also threatened that if Irus did not stop pushing around the other beggars things would get worse. Irus's appearance within the epic develops the Homeric themes of savagery, punishing the inhospitable, and appearances vs. reality.