> According to the Odyssey by Homer, Odysseus was the king of which island?And the answer: Ithaca. In Homer's epic poem known as the Odyssey, Odysseus is portrayed as an eloquentman of great wisdom, courage, and resourcefulness. His wanderings and therecovery of his kingdom of Ithaca are the central themes of the story.Image: GoogleMapsOdysseus occupies a legendary role in Greek mythology. Acelebrated king, champion of the Trojan War and beloved hero, Odysseus hailsfrom the small island of Ithaca. As the son of a king, Odysseus was raised underthe guidance of those who knew his destiny was to lead, and he began taking tothe hunt and joining his father, Laertes, on missions from a young age. It issaid that Odysseus' hunting skill surpassed his father's when he was only ateenager. Photo credit: public domain.Almost all of what we know about Odysseus comes fromHomer's Odyssey. This epic poem was written hundreds of years after the eventsof the Trojan War, and was originally passed down through the oral tradition. Assuch, much of the content of the story has likely been affected by time andretelling. What we do know, though, concerns his character. Although Odysseuswas known for his ability to win over most anyone, he was also a smug andself-assured man who got what he wanted at all costs. However, in Greekmythology being a "hero" didn't mean he was perfect. Rather, it referred to anextraordinary attribute or ability, which Odysseus certainly possessed. So,although he may not have been a great person, he was certainly heroic. Learn more about the life and epic of Odysseus below.