DEMODOCUS (mythical minstrel of Alcinous)

During a feast for the aldermen and town councillors, a servant named Pontonous arranged a seat for him in the middle of the company near a supporting post.^1,6,4,3 A table with food and a cup of wine was placed beside him, and his lyre hung on a peg above his head so he could find it by touch.^7,4 After the Phaeacian elders had finished their supper, he began to sing, playing his instrument by feeling for it with his hands.^2,4 He drank from his cup whenever his soul desired it, and young men danced while he performed.^7,8

Inspired by the muse, he sang about the deeds of heroes, accurately recounting the return and sufferings of the Achaeans.^9,5 His song specifically detailed the fierce words exchanged by Odysseus and Achilles at a banquet.⁹ As the guest groaned under the weight of the memory, an alderman asked Demodocus to stop singing, and the bard ceased his performance while Odysseus wept.^2,10 However, the Phaeacians, who delighted in his lays, urged him to continue, and he sang again at their request.¹⁰

Odysseus sent the bard a piece of roast pork to eat, and later requested a song about the wooden horse and the sack of Troy.^3,5 Demodocus was greatly pleased when he received the food, and he accepted a piece of pork brought by a servant as well as a piece of chine of beef from Odysseus's own portion.^5,7 Odysseus promised to praise Demodocus's divine endowment if he sang the tale correctly.⁵

In other accounts, he performed a song detailing the affair between Ares and Aphrodite to discourage his audience from indulging in similar passions.¹¹ He left his lyre at the house of King Alcinous, where he resided.^12,13 Though blind, Demodocus remained a figure of profound respect, his inspired voice a beloved presence in the court of Alcinous.^4,3,1,13,2