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Archaeologists Unearth a 2,400-Year-Old Sanctuary for the Worship of Odysseus
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,400-year-old sanctuary on Mount Exogi in Ithaca, suggesting that King Odysseus, the hero of Homer's "The Odyssey," was once a figure of local worship rather than mere folklore.
- The site, known locally as the School of Homer, features ruins carved into terraces and includes a grand ceremonial hall, a possible watchtower, and a Mycenaean-style cistern.
- Previous excavations dating back to 1878 largely dismissed connections to "The Odyssey," but recent digs led by Giannos G. Lolos since 2018 have revealed significant findings supporting the sanctuary's link to the epic.
- These discoveries challenge the modern scholarly view that Odysseus was purely a fictional character, highlighting how ancient inhabitants may have revered him as a real historical figure.
- The renewed archaeological interest coincides with the release of Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation of "The Odyssey," underscoring the enduring cultural impact of the epic.
