Book Three: Nestor Has a Yap (The Odyssey, Book by Book)

Book Three: Nestor Has a Yap

The Ithacans arrive in Pylos, where bulls are being sacrificed on the beach to Lord Poseidon. Athena (still disguised as Mentor) leads Telemachus ashore and gives him another one of her little pep talks. This one is surprisingly tame, and by that I mean she doesn't call his lineage into question, so maybe she's softening up a bit? Athena encourages Telemachus to seek out Nestor to learn the truth about his father's fate. Telemachus seems to have learnt what humility is on the journey and expresses that he's nervous to talk to Nestor, but Athena is having none of it and leads him to Nestor.

They find Nestor sitting in the centre of town, preparing food with his sons. As Telemachus and Athena approach, they are warmly greeted and served food and wine. Then one of Nestor's sons passes a golden cup to Athena, explaining that they are holding a feast in honour of Poseidon. Prayers are made to the Lord of Earthquakes. After eating and drinking, Nestor decides it's time to ask questions of his guests.

Telemachus explains who he is and that he is there for news of his father. Nestor, like every old man in Greek Mythology, refuses to answer Telemachus succinctly and instead reminisces about the Trojan War and all those who fought and died in battle. Eventually, he gets to how the journey home for the Greeks, including Odysseus, started. Nestor then leaves the Greeks to head to his home of Pylos, and so he doesn't know who has died or survived the journey home after that point.

Nestor has heard of the troubles that Telemachus faces at home. "If only Athena liked you as much as your dad. If she helped you as she did him, I'm sure the suitors would stop pestering Penelope." Surprisingly, Athena does not bat an eyelid at this. Telemachus asks to change the subject and asks Nestor what happened to Agamemnon, obviously having not learnt that Nestor likes to yap. Of course, Nestor does indeed... yap. After finishing the tale of Agamemnon, Nestor advises Telemachus to seek out Menelaus in Sparta. He offers the use of one of his carriages, and one of his sons as a guide.

As night falls, more offerings are made to Poseidon. Afterwards, Nestor offers Athena and Telemachus a room in his palace for the night. Athena declines, saying she must return to the ship to give the crew news of what has been said. Athena takes the form of a bird and flies away swiftly, leaving all those gathered at the feast in shock. When they return to Nestor's palace, the King makes an offering to Athena before everyone heads to bed.

At dawn, Nestor, his sons and Telemachus meet outside the palace. Nestor makes another offering to Athena before sending Telemachus, along with one of his own sons, to Sparta.