Odysseus and Us
Homer’s Odyssey, the epic poem recounting the hero Odysseus’s decade long struggle to return home from the Trojan War, is the oldest existent piece of Greek literature. First written down sometime between 750 B.C.E. and 650 B.C.E., the story is part of a much older oral tradition that goes deep into the prehistoric past. This is a story that has been told down through the centuries, demonstrating enduring relevance on account of its timeless themes. The Odyssey endures because it asks us to think about the questions that animate our own journey through life: Where is home? To whom do we owe our loyalty? How should we treat other people?
Not that the poem offers any easy answers to these questions, but instead we are given a story and time to think about it, discuss its nuances, and in light of our own reality. Take, for example, the final episode, when Odysseus at last returns home only to find his palace overrun by men (“the Suitors”) attempting to marry his wife and steal his kingdom. His violent response raises questions of power, justice, and responsibility that still resonate today.
That is why the National Hellenic Museum will hold The Trial of Odysseus on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Harris Theater, Chicago, an exciting event that will not only support Museum but once again ask anew the questions raised by this ancient story. This mock trial brings history and myth to life onstage. Leading attorneys will argue the case before esteemed judges, and you, the audience, cast the final vote to decide: Was Odysseus a hero or a criminal? Don’t miss a chance to be part of one of humanity’s oldest tales.
To purchase tickets visit: https://www.harristheaterchicago.org/performance/trial-odysseus
