Athena’s Absence in Book 10

Athena’s Absence in Book 10

In the Iliad, Athena is shown to be especially fond of Odysseus. Their connection seems to lay the groundwork for their closeness in the Odyssey. Athena, the goddess of wisdom (metis) pairs naturally with the cleverest human portrayed in the epic. Athena offers advice and guidance to Odysseus whenever he questions what move to make. Almost every time he does or says something particularly relevant to epic, Athena has helped him or urged him along in some way.

That being said, during the ambush scene in book 10, when Odysseus is most active, there is no mention of Athena’s help at all. Before they embark on their murderous mission, Odysseus says a prayer to the goddess of wisdom “Hear me, child of Zeus Aegis-Holder. You are ever by my side.” Despite his prayer it appears Athena was not by his side. The poem says that Athena heard him, but then why does she not watch over them or intercede when they murder Dolon, the supplicant. The author seems to want the reader/listener to know that this act is less than commendable, so why does the just and wise goddess not interced on his behalf? This nighttime campaign with Diomedes is the most action Odysseus sees in the whole epic. It seems suspect that his wise, goddess companion is basically absent during this crucial high stakes endeavor.

At the end of the episode, after having slaughtered many Trojan allies, Odysseus plans to “prepare a sacrifice for Athena” of Dolon’s bloody spoils. This is confusing to me because it seems so clear that Dolon’s murder was unjust and vile. The whole episode; from the nighttime attack to the supplicant’s willingness to give up his comrades, and Diomede’s willingness to murder him after having promised to spare him all seems very out of place.