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Book V - The story of Idomeneus, king of Crete, who kills his son and is banished. Mentor refuses the Cretan throne

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Patrick Riley
Affiliation:
University of Wisconsin, Madison
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Summary

Telemachus relates that upon his arrival in the isle of Crete he understood that Idomeneus the king, in order to perform an indiscreet vow he had made, had sacrificed his only son; that Cretans, taking up arms to revenge his death, had obliged the father to quit die island; that after much perplexity and uncertainty, they had come to a resolution to choose another, and were assembled for that purpose. Telemachus adds that he was admitted into the assembly; that he bore away the prize in various games, and explained the questions that Minos had left recorded in his law books; that the old men, who were the judges of the island, and the whole body of the people, in consideration of his wisdom, would have chosen him for their king.

Telemachus relates that he refused the crown of Crete, in order to return to Ithaca; that he proposed their electing Mentor, who likewise excused himself; that at last, the assembly importuning Mentor to choose for the whole nation, he acquainted them with what he had heard of the virtues of Aristodemus: who, in consequence of that recommendation was immediately proclaimed king; that Mentor and he then embarked for Ithaca: but that Neptune, to gratify Venus, whom they had offended, had wrecked their ship, when they were received by the goddess Calypso in her island.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 1994

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