Old Man of the Sea: a name applied to different sea divinities (Proteus and Phorcys)

Olympus: mountain in northern Greece where the major deities live (the Olympians).

Ogygia: island where Calypso lives and where she detains Odysseus.

Orestes: son of Agamemnon and Clytaemnestra, killer of Aegisthus.

Peiraeus: son of Clytius, a close comrade of Telemachus.

Peisenor: a herald in Odysseus’ palace.

Peisistratus: son of Nestor, friend of Telemachus.

Penelope: daughter of Icarius, wife of Odysseus, mother of Telemachus.

Persephone: wife of Hades, goddess of the underworld.

Phaeacians: inhabitants of Scheria, master sailors.

Phemius: son of Terpes, the professional minstrel in Odysseus’ palace.

Philoetius: a goat herder on Ithaca friendly to Odysseus.

Polyphemus: a cyclops, son of Poseidon.

Pontonous: a herald in the court of Alcinous in Phaeacia.

Poseidon: god of the sea, brother of Zeus, often called "shaker of the earth" or "Earthshaker."

Priam: king of Troy, killed when the city was captured by Achaeans.

Pylos: city state in the south Peloponnese ruled by Nestor.

Pytho: the location of the shrine of Apollo.

Same: an island close to Ithaca, part of Odysseus’ kingdom.

Scheria: distant land where the Phaeacians live.

Scylla: a monster with many heads.

Sirens: two singers who lure sailors to their destruction.

Sparta: city in the central Peloponnese ruled by Menelaus.

Styx: river in Hades by which the gods swear their most solemn oaths.

Suitors: aristocratic young men courting Penelope in hopes of marrying her.