Eumaeus – A Country Gentleman

 

   Eumaeus – A Country Gentleman

Eumaeus has been getting a bad rap from Homeric scholars for centuries. He is always referred to as the lowly or loyal swineherd of Odysseus. Eumaeus was much more than a swineherd who busied himself looking after the pigs on the royal farm. He was descended from royalty and a noble gentleman, a country squire and manager of the vast estate of a king who was off fighting and wandering. In the Odyssey Eumaeus represents the ideal of loyal servitude and willing hospitality and displays steadfast loyalty and devotion to his master. He is instrumental in the eventual success of Odysseus and plays a vital role in assisting him to regain and reclaim his throne from those bent on his destruction.

We first meet Eumaeus late in the story after Odysseus has returned to Ithaca and presents himself to his servant disguised as a beggar. Eumaeus knows well the demands of xenia and makes Odysseus welcome. Their first interchange establishes for us the relationship that Eumaeus has with his master and the love and loyal devotion that he bears for him and his son.

Odysseus rejoiced that he had been so welcomed and he spoke to the swineherd. ‘O stranger may Zeus and all the other immortal gods grant you whatever you desire because you have made me most welcome here with a ready heart.’ Then Eumaeus the swineherd answered him. ‘No stranger, it would not be right for me to ignore a foreigner, even if it was someone worse than you, for all strangers and beggars come from Zeus and a gift, even a small one, would be welcome from us, for this is the lot of slaves who live in fear, over whom their lords prevail, even young masters like ours. For truly the gods have delayed the return home of him whom I dearly love and who would have with kindness given me a house and property and a sought-after wife, even such things as a generous master would give to his slave who had worked hard for him and whose work the gods make to prosper, even as my work has done so.’

            So what do we know about this devoted and loyal servant? Fortunately he tells us his own story. He lived in a land that he called Syria and was the son of King Ctesius, the son of Ormenus who Eumaeus tells us, was likened unto the immortals. Since he says that his land was near Ortygia, it is likely that he was referring to Syracuse in Sicily. He was kidnapped by Phoenician traders after he had been betrayed by his Phoenician nurse who led him to their ship. The woman was killed at sea by Artemis and her body was thrown overboard. The traders landed in Ithaca and Eumaeus was purchased as a slave by Laertes, the father of Odysseus. He was treated with kindness by Laertes and his wife Anticleia and was raised by him as an equal to Odysseus and a member of the family. This upbringing was the root of the strong bond that existed between Eumaeus and Odysseus.

Over the years he took on more and more responsibility and managed the estate for Odysseus during his twenty year absence. Eumaeus lived in a humble home outside the city and from there he managed a small staff of herders and a servant named Mesaulius. He looked after the livestock and four dogs, whom he describes as being as savage as wild beasts. When Odysseus returned to Ithaca in disguise, the first place that he went was to the home of Eumaeus. The swineherd took him in and provided him with food and shelter and in doing so, demonstrated a high degree of hospitality and respect, even though the man that he was serving was dressed as an impoverished beggar. Eumaeus divided up the provisions that were available and made sure that everyone got a fair portion. Odysseus used the house of Eumaeus as a place to remain in hiding, safe from detection, giving him an opportunity to gather information about the suitors and their intent.

It would appear that during the long-term absence of Odysseus, Eumaeus formed a strong relationship with his son Telemachus and took on the role of father-figure. Telemachus was only an infant when his father left for Troy and Eumaeus took on a paternal role during the hero’s tenure away from home. It is interesting to note that the first stop that Telemachus made on his return from Pylos and Sparta is not to his mother’s home, but rather to the house of Eumaeus in the countryside, just like his father did. Eumaeus had been raised like a son by Laertes and Anticleia and he performed the same function for Telemachus.

Eumaeus was a true and loyal friend to Odysseus and his family. The arrogant and selfish suitors had overrun the place and were depleting the family’s wealth and yet Eumaeus remained steadfast and loyal. His loyalty was selfless and he had no desire for personal gain. He was driven by only love and respect and this is borne out in every line that he speaks. The beggar to whom he offered unwavering hospitality eventually revealed himself to the noble swineherd as his master. The loyal servant offered his support and together with Odysseus and Telemachus, they created a plan to rid the land of the suitors and to take back what rightfully belonged to the family. Eumaeus played the role of valued informant and provided the hero and his son with invaluable information on the state of the palace and the actions of suitors whom he despised.

When the day of action arrived, Eumaeus proved himself to be a warrior and fought alongside Odysseus and Telemachus. His loyal behaviour stood in direct contrast with the greedy and selfish actions of the arrogant suitors and disloyal servants such as the goatherd Melantheus. In all respects he was the epitome of honor, integrity and deep morality. His actions and attitudes were such as we would expect from a loyal swineherd, a high-born prince and an adopted son of royalty.

Most of the heroes of the Iliad and the Odyssey had clay feet and we continually witness their massive flaws in addition to their heroic deeds. Eumaeus was different. He was not a hero, but most often referred to as a lowly swineherd. We come to realize that, in the person of that swineherd, we find embodied all the good things that we expect to find in the heroes of the epics. They fell short but Eumaeus measured up by every standard. Indeed, scholars have given him a bad rap, or at least have failed to recognize his true merits.