Entering Phaeacia - "The Odyssey" Book VI - By Homer

Stephen Alexander Beach 

Book VI details the introduction of Odysseus to the Phaeacian people. So the land of Scheria called Phaeacia was an island where a people had migrated and built a walled city, a people who were masters at all things sailing and ships. That being so, they were considered far away from the rest of the world and so did not receive visitors much at all. Athena, in order to help Odysseus out, planted a dream into the mind of king Alcinous' daughter, Nausicaa, to go and wash all of her clothes and linens at the river outside the walls, for she was as woman of marrying age. And so she takes her cohort of young maidens and they go to wash their things the next morning. It is there that Odysseus is awakened by their noise from his deep slumber after surviving the shipwreck. 

Cunning as always he finds a way to ingratiate himself with the young girls. He covers himself and is present minded about the modesty of the situation (given that he has no clothes). The girls are scared of him, but Athena fills Nausicaa with courage and she interacts with him. He explains his situation and blesses them, as well as asks for some simple help. "'And may the good gods give you all your heart desires: husband, and house, and lasting harmony too. No finer, greater gift in the world than that ... when man and woman possess their home, two minds, two hearts that work as one. Despair to their enemies, a joy to all their friends. Their own best claim to glory.'" 1

And so they offer him help. They give him oil to cleanse himself and clothes to wear. "Every stranger and beggar comes from Zeus ...". 2 Now the question, though, was how to get Odysseus into the city without being questioned or stopped. They devise a plan to hide him amongst her retinue as they walk their carts back to the city. Before entering the king's palace Odysseus will hide in an orchard until enough time passes for Nausicaa to return home. Then, he is to ask for help from anyone, even a child, to guide him to the king's palace, and he is to walk right up to the queen and present himself. To aid Odysseus in this matter, Athena shrouds him in mist to be hidden from men's intrigues as he walks. If he succeeds in winning the queen's heart, then all will be well for him. 

"'Hear me, daughter of Zeus whose shield is thunder -- tireless one, Athena! Now hear my prayer at last, for you never heard me then, when I was shattered, when the famous god of earthquakes wrecked my craft. Grant that there among the Phaeacian people I may find some mercy and some love!'" 3

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1 - 200
2 - 225
3 - 355 -360