Euryclea also informed Odysseus which of his servant girls had been unfaithful to Penelope during his absence, conspiring with Penelope's suitors and becoming their lovers. He hanged the twelve that Euryclea identified.

Later Euryclea helps Penelope confirm that Odysseus has indeed returned. Penelope tells her to move the bed Odysseus built in their marriage-chamber; Odysseus tells Penelope that this is not possible as one of the legs of the bed is built into a live olive tree, a secret that only Odysseus and Penelope know, and Penelope finally accepts him.

In other traditions Euryclea was also known as Antiphata.

Odysseus and Euryclea, by Christian Gottlob Heyne

Greek Mythology

See also : Greek Mythology. Paintings, Drawings

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