Eumaeus


 * For the butterfly genus, see Eumaeus (butterfly).

In Greek mythology, Eumaeus (Εὔμαιος, Eumaios) was Odysseus's swineherd and friend before he left for the Trojan War. His father, Ktesios son of Ormenos, was king of an island called Syria. When he was a young child a Phoenician sailor seduced his nurse, a Phoenician slave, who agreed to bring the child among other treasures in exchange for their help in her escape. The nurse was killed by Artemis on the journey by sea, but the sailors continued to Ithaka where Odysseus' father Laertes bought him as a slave. Thereafter he was brought up with Odysseus and his sister Ctimene (or Ktimene), and was treated by Anticleia, their mother, almost as Ctimene's equal.

In Homer's Odyssey, Eumaeus is the first mortal that Odysseus meets after his return to Ithaca. Although he does not recognise his old master — Odysseus is in disguise — and has his misgivings, Eumaeus treats Odysseus well, offering food and shelter to one whom he thinks is a mere indigent. On being pushed to explain himself, Odysseus spins a distorted tale, misleading Eumaeus into believing that he is the son not of Laertes but of Castor.

The swineherd refuses to accept the vow that Odysseus, whom he loves above all others (rendering him especially bitter towards the suitors), is finally on his way home. Having heard such assurances all too often, and been deceived by a prevaricator from Aetolia, Eumaeus has become inured to them. "Don't you try to gratify or soothe my heart with falsehoods," he cautions:
 * "It is not for that reason that I shall respect and entertain you, but because I fear Zeus, the patron of strangers, and pity you."

God-fearing, suspicious, and scrupulous, Eumaeus delivers probably the oldest extant example of literary sarcasm when, after Odysseus offers a bargain entailing that he be thrown off a cliff should he lose, he answers:
 * "That would be virtuous of me, my friend, and good reputation would be mine among men, for present time alike and hereafter, if first I led you into my shelter, there entertained you as guest, then murdered you and ravished the dear life from you. Then cheerfully I could go and pray to Zeus, son of Kronos" (XIV.402-6, translation Lattimore).

Eumaeus is generous in his offerings to guests and gods (Hermes in particular) and so fair-minded as to strive to divide meals equally between everyone he feeds. The axiom "The god will give, and the god will take away, according to his will, for he can do anything" fairly encapsulates his philosophy.

During his master's long absence, Eumaeus acquires from the Taphians a servant, Mesaulius, with his own ostensibly meagre resources. Mesaulius serves as a waiter during Odysseus's first supper back on Ithaca, in Eumaeus's hut with its owner and his fellow herders.

Eumaeus also welcomes Odysseus's son, Telemachus, when he returns from his voyage to Pylos and Sparta. When Telemachus returns, he visits Eumaeus as soon as he gets off his boat, as Athena directed him. In Eumaues' hut is Odysseus in disguise. Eumaeus greets Telemachus as a father, expressing his deep worry while Telemachus was gone and his relief now that is safely back. Homer even uses a simile to reiterate the father-son relationship between Telemachus and Eumaeus. He says,
 * "And as a loving father embraces his own son
 * Come back from a distant land after ten long years,
 * His only son, greatly beloved and much sorrowed for"
 * (The Odyssey, Book 16 lines 19-21).

With Odysseus sitting beside Eumaeus and Telemachus, the audience is especially aware of this relationship. During the slaughter of the suitors, Eumaeus assists Telemachus and Odysseus as well. Interestingly, Eumaeus is the only character in the Odyssey whom the narrator addresses in the second person, as in "δι Ευμαιη" or "you, Eumaeus". He is frequently called the "noble swineherd" and "prince of swineherds". Some academics claim this is because Homer feels an affinity with him.