Odysseus was the King of Ithaca.  He left his wife Penelope at home while he went off to fight in the Trojan War to save Helen of Troy.  At first, he did not want to leave and faked insanity but his attempts were thwarted and he left.  The battle took ten years and once it was over, he began his journey home; a journey which took him another ten years to complete because of the many obstacles that he encountered. 

    In the meanwhile, back in Ithaca, Penelope, Odysseus' wife was bombarded with suitors, believing the king dead, and anxious to usurp the thrown.  They took up residence in the palace and absorbed all resources available for their comfort, while making it uncomfortable for Penelope and her son Telemachus.  Penelope remained faithful to her husband and told the suitors that she would decide on one in particular once she had finished sewing a quilt for her father-in-law out of respect and condolence.  She would spend all her days sewing the quilt and then she'd unravel her work during the night.  By the time the suitors found out, Odysseus had returned and slew them all for their intrusion.

To learn more about Odysseus' adventures, outlined in Homer's The Odyssey visit these web sites: