Meanwhile, rumor spread throughout the city that all the suitors had been killed by the returning Odysseus. With a cry of indignation, the relatives of the suitors and all the people ran to Odysseus’s palace and carried out the dead. Then they gathered in the city square and began to discuss what to do. Antinous's father, old Eupeitis, began to incite all the people to rebel against Odysseus and take revenge on him for the death of the suitors. Only the singer Phemius and the herald Medont convinced the citizens not to raise their hands against Odysseus, since they themselves saw that the gods were on Odysseus’s side, and the suitors died by the will of Zeus. The soothsayer Halifers also spoke out in defense of Odysseus. He reminded the citizens how he and Mentor had advised them not to allow the suitors to riot in the house of Odysseus. Now the citizens themselves are to blame. It is better to submit to Odysseus so as not to incur even greater trouble. Some of the citizens listened to Galifers, while others, led by Evpeit, rushed for weapons. The goddess Athena saw all this from high Olympus and asked the thunderer Zeus:
- Father Zeus! Tell me what have you decided? Will you now initiate a great battle or will you establish peace between the warring parties?
- My dear daughter! - Zeus answered Athena, - after all, you decided that you must take revenge on the suitors of Odysseus. He took revenge and had the right to do so. Odysseus will be king of Ithaca. We will consign the death of the suitors to oblivion. As before, love will reign in Ithaca, there will be wealth and peace there.
Zeus said so. Athena immediately rushed to Ithaca. Citizens in a large crowd were already approaching Laertes' house. One of the sons of Dolius saw them. Everyone in the house armed themselves. Even the elders Laertes and Dolius armed themselves. They left the house into the yard. The goddess Athena appeared to Odysseus under the guise of a Mentor. He was delighted when he recognized the goddess, and, turning to Telemachus, said:
- My son! Now prove that you remember that you come from a glorious family, famous throughout the land for its valor.
- Beloved father! - Telemachus exclaimed, - you will see that I will not disgrace your glorious family!
Laertes also heard these words. Joy filled his heart and he exclaimed:
- Oh, what a day you are sending me, gods! How glad I am! My son and grandson are arguing about who is braver!
Athena approached Laertes and ordered him to throw a spear at his enemies without aiming, calling on the goddess Athena and father Zeus for help. Laertes shook his spear and threw it. The spear pierced the copper helmet of Eupeitis, crushed his skull, and he fell to the ground dead. Odysseus and Telemachus rushed at the enemies. All the citizens of Ithaca would have died if the goddess Athena had not shouted menacingly:
- Stop the battle, citizens of Ithaca! Disperse quickly without shedding blood!
All the citizens of Ithaca were seized by great horror. Their weapons fell from their hands, and they fell to the ground, hearing the cry of the goddess. Having come to their senses, the citizens fled, saving their lives. Shouting loudly, Odysseus rushed to pursue the fleeing. But Zeus threw his lightning, and it, sparkling, fell to the ground in front of Athena. The goddess restrained Odysseus, saying:
- God-like son of Laertes, control your heart! Refrain from a bloody battle so that Zeus the Thunderer will not be angry with you!
Odysseus rejoiced and stopped; he did not pursue the fleeing citizens of Ithaca. Soon Pallas Athena, taking the form of a Mentor, established a lasting peace between the people and King Odysseus, sealed by their mutual oath.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru