While Telemachus was in Pylos and Sparta, the suitors learned by chance from Noemon who came to them that Telemachus had left Ithaca. They were afraid because they thought that Telemachus had gone to Pylos and Sparta for help. Antinous advised the suitors to equip a ship and, having sailed to the sea, wait for Telemachus in order to unexpectedly attack him and kill him. All the suitors immediately agreed to this evil deed. Having gathered the rowers, they went to the seashore, equipped the ship and sailed towards the island of Asterida to set up an ambush there.
Penelope learned of their evil plan. She became desperate. After all, she did not know that Telemachus had sailed from Ithaca. She already wanted to send a servant to Odysseus’s father, the elder Laertes, to notify him of the danger that threatened his grandson. But the maid Eurycleia kept her from doing this. She advised Penelope to pray to the goddess Athena for help. Queen Eurycleia obeyed, made a sacrifice to the goddess and turned to her with a prayer. Then she lay down on her rich bed and fell asleep. The goddess Athena heeded her pleas. She sent the ghost of her sister Iftima to the sleeping Penelope. The ghost told Penelope that Telemachus would not die. When Penelope asked about the fate of her husband, the ghost of Iftima did not answer her and disappeared, like a light fog. Penelope woke up; she realized that the gods had sent her this vision.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru