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The REAL Story of Eurytos' Bow
The Story of Eurytos' Bow
The original story of Eurytos and his great bow lies in the realm of ancient Greek literature. Legend holds that, Eurytos of Oikhalia was a great archer, the best for miles and miles. Eurytos was such a talented archer that it was said that he vied with the gods in bowmanship. One day, Eurytos’ pride got to him and he decided to challenge the Greek god Apollo (a god whose title was “The Distant Deadly Archer.� ) to a contest in Archery. Greek gods did not appreciate whe they were challenged by mortals. Thus, “Eurytos came to grief, it’s true… Apollo took his challenge ill, and killed him.� Eurytos’ bow was given to his son Iphitos.
Fast forward to homer’s epic, The Odyssey, which happen to chronicle the adventures of (surprisingly) Odysseus on his way home from the Trojan War. Odysseus was gone for 10 years fighting a war and another 10 years trying to get home. While he was gone he left his wife and newborn son at home on the island of Ithaka. Odysseus was the king of Ithaka, and as such when Odysseus hadn’t returned after 10 years of war, other men began to encroach on his household. They eat all of his food, torment his young son Telemakhos, and destroy a lot of his belongings in their revelry. They invaded his house and started demanding that his wife Peneolpe marry one of them so they could become king of the Isle of Ithaka. Before his journey to the Trojan War, Odysseus encounters Iphitos, who gives Odysseus his father’s bow. Once Odysseus returns home he is disgusted with the suitors’ lack of respect for his family and his home. But the men far out number Odysseus, so he tricks them.
Eurytos’ Bow was so strong that a normal man couldn’t string the bow or bring it to full draw without the consent of Apollo. Odysseus tells Penelope to say that she will marry the man who can draw Eurytos’ Bow and put an arrow through 12 axeheads. After every man tries and fails, their arms are so sore that they can’t hold swords or defend themselves in a fight. Then Odysseus enters, disguised as a beggar, and asks for a chance to try the “bow of trials.� After examining the bow and carefully stringing it, Odysseus takes aim. He fires an arrow through all twelve, dead center. The suitors, in fear and awe, stare at him. (NOT a good plan) Odysseus’s second arrow was aimed at Antinoos, the “leader� of the suitors.� “Odysseus’ arrow hit him under the chin and punched to the feathers through his throat.� After this, Odysseus decides to give the others a fair chance and has his son fetch them some armor and shields. Then he starts shooting at them, each arrow brings an enemy down. Finally, Odysseus runs out of arrows. ; ; The other suitors are killed by his son. Never again, did anyone try to cross Odysseus.
And that, my friends is the REAL story of Eurytos’ Bow.
The original story of Eurytos and his great bow lies in the realm of ancient Greek literature. Legend holds that, Eurytos of Oikhalia was a great archer, the best for miles and miles. Eurytos was such a talented archer that it was said that he vied with the gods in bowmanship. One day, Eurytos’ pride got to him and he decided to challenge the Greek god Apollo (a god whose title was “The Distant Deadly Archer.� ) to a contest in Archery. Greek gods did not appreciate whe they were challenged by mortals. Thus, “Eurytos came to grief, it’s true… Apollo took his challenge ill, and killed him.� Eurytos’ bow was given to his son Iphitos.
Fast forward to homer’s epic, The Odyssey, which happen to chronicle the adventures of (surprisingly) Odysseus on his way home from the Trojan War. Odysseus was gone for 10 years fighting a war and another 10 years trying to get home. While he was gone he left his wife and newborn son at home on the island of Ithaka. Odysseus was the king of Ithaka, and as such when Odysseus hadn’t returned after 10 years of war, other men began to encroach on his household. They eat all of his food, torment his young son Telemakhos, and destroy a lot of his belongings in their revelry. They invaded his house and started demanding that his wife Peneolpe marry one of them so they could become king of the Isle of Ithaka. Before his journey to the Trojan War, Odysseus encounters Iphitos, who gives Odysseus his father’s bow. Once Odysseus returns home he is disgusted with the suitors’ lack of respect for his family and his home. But the men far out number Odysseus, so he tricks them.
Eurytos’ Bow was so strong that a normal man couldn’t string the bow or bring it to full draw without the consent of Apollo. Odysseus tells Penelope to say that she will marry the man who can draw Eurytos’ Bow and put an arrow through 12 axeheads. After every man tries and fails, their arms are so sore that they can’t hold swords or defend themselves in a fight. Then Odysseus enters, disguised as a beggar, and asks for a chance to try the “bow of trials.� After examining the bow and carefully stringing it, Odysseus takes aim. He fires an arrow through all twelve, dead center. The suitors, in fear and awe, stare at him. (NOT a good plan) Odysseus’s second arrow was aimed at Antinoos, the “leader� of the suitors.� “Odysseus’ arrow hit him under the chin and punched to the feathers through his throat.� After this, Odysseus decides to give the others a fair chance and has his son fetch them some armor and shields. Then he starts shooting at them, each arrow brings an enemy down. Finally, Odysseus runs out of arrows. ; ; The other suitors are killed by his son. Never again, did anyone try to cross Odysseus.
And that, my friends is the REAL story of Eurytos’ Bow.
i think id heard bits of that back in high school but had forgotten it.
observe the splendor of ping pong balls!
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