Like man intelligent they plow the tides,
Conscious of every coast and every bay
That lies beneath the sun’s all-seeing ray.”
Odyssey, Book viii.
But the hospitable king will not allow him to depart until a royal entertainment has been provided.
First a feast was spread at the royal palace for Odysseus and the Phæacian nobles; the famous bard, Demodokos, sang tales of heroes and of gods. Then Alkinoös bade the Phæacian young men prepare for the games in order that they might exhibit to the stranger their skill in manly sports. Thereupon, the festive throng issued forth from the palace to the assembly-place, and the Phæacian athletes exhibited themselves in the foot-race and at the wrestling match, at leaping, throwing the diskos, and boxing. All of these games, except leaping, are mentioned also in the Iliad.
Then the son of Alkinoös, complimenting Odysseus on his massive body, invites him to show his athletic skill. “There is no greater glory for a man in all his life than what he wins with his own feet and hands,” says Laodamas.
At first Odysseus declines, but when stung by the taunt of Euryalos he decides to show his skill. “He spoke, and, with his cloak still on, he sprang and seized a diskos, larger than the rest and thick, heavier by not a little than those which the Phæacians were using for themselves. This with a twist he sent from his stout hand. The stone hummed as it went. Past all the marks it flew, swift speeding from his hands.”
Then Odysseus challenges the Phæacians to match his throw; and he challenges any of the Phæacians, except his host, Laodamas, to contend with him either in boxing, wrestling, or the foot-race,—it matters not to him.
Odysseus claims for himself the honor of being an “all-round” athlete. “Not at all weak am I, in any games men practice. I understand full well handling the polished bow. None except Philoktetes excelled me with the bow at Troy, when we Achæans tried the bow. I send the spear farther than other men an arrow.”