EURYCLEIA (wet-nurse of Odysseus)
Figure of myth · wet-nurse of Odysseus
Eurycleia nursed Odysseus at her breast during his infancy and later nursed Telemachus when he was a baby.2,4,1 She managed the household affairs continuously, day and night, and taught fifty women in the house to perform tasks like carding wool.5,6 When the young Telemachus first arrived in the house, she was arranging fleeces on seats and noticed him.7 She ran to him and burst out crying upon seeing him.7 She guided Telemachus to his room using two blazing torches, secured his bedroom door with a silver catch and strap bolt, and folded his shirt to hang it over a peg by his bed.1
While washing him, she touched the scar on his leg and recognized Odysseus.8,9 Her eyes filled with tears from a mix of joy and grief, and she dropped the foot, causing the bath to overturn and spill water.9 She grabbed the man by the beard and declared she was certain he was Odysseus after touching him.9 Odysseus physically restrained her and threatened to kill her if she disclosed his identity to others.4,10 She promised to remain silent about the suitors until Odysseus defeated them, speaking to him as her child and asserting her loyalty.11
Eurycleia was absent from the room where the suitors were being killed, having hidden crouched in a corner of the women's room with doors closed.12 She heard the suitors groaning as they were being slain.12 Telemachus fetched her on his father's orders, and she opened the door to the women's quarters and followed him outside.13,12 She observed Odysseus covered in blood among the bodies of the suitors and began to cry out for joy upon seeing the scene.13 She confirmed to Telemachus that Odysseus had returned home, stating that Telemachus had known about his father's return and kept the secret to allow his father revenge.14 Euraclea offered to be killed if she was lying about Odysseus's presence.10
Eurycleia climbed the stairs to inform Penelope that her husband had returned.3 She bent over Penelope's head to speak to her directly and urged her to wake up and see her husband with her own eyes.3 Penelope embraced Eurycleia and wept with joy upon hearing the news.15 Euraclea offered Odysseus clean clothing to replace his dirty rags.16 In the end, she laughed with joy.3
The codex facts behind this entry
She is identified as the nurse of Odysseus and Telemachus. Odyssey 17 ¶4 +5 She is described as a respectable, good old woman who served in the household. Odyssey 1 ¶32 +2
In the myths
Eurycleia locked the women inside their room after receiving instructions from Telemachus to ensure they remained silent and at their tasks. Odyssey 19 ¶2 +3 Eurycleia recognized Odysseus by the scar on his leg while washing him. Odyssey 19 ¶25 +2 Eurycleia opened the door to the women's quarters and followed Telemachus outside after he came to fetch her because his father sent him. Odyssey 22 ¶42 +1 Eurycleia nursed Odysseus at her breast during his infancy. Odyssey 19 ¶22 +1 Odysseus physically restrained Eurycleia to prevent her from revealing his presence. Odyssey 19 ¶30 +1 Euryclea placed the newborn infant on Autolycus's knees after supper and asked him to name his newly born grandson. Athenaeus 11.1 +1
