The Odyssey: Core Pronunciation Lexicon (Books 1–3)
This document will be updated with new entries as we read further. It aims to provide three pronunciation help modes:
- A layman’s phonetic spelling
- The robust IPA phonetic spelling
- The Shavian alphabet rendering
I have chosen to follow Robert Fagle’s guide as my primary source, and then adjust where I have a strong preference.
Geographical & Ethnic Designations
Ithaca The rocky island kingdom of Odysseus; the stagnant home front in our opening act. Phonetic: ITH-uh-kuh IPA: /ˈɪθəkə/ Shavian: ·𐑦𐑔𐑩𐑒𐑩
Ogygia The island where Odysseus is held captive in a state of timeless stasis by the nymph Calypso. Phonetic: oh-JI-ja IPA: /oʊˈdʒɪdʒiə/ Shavian: ·𐑴𐑡𐑦𐑡𐑾
Achaea / Achaeans A collective, factional term used by Homer for the Greeks (interchangeable with Argives and Danaans). Phonetic: uh-KEE-uh IPA: /əˈkiːə/ Shavian: ·𐑩𐑒𐑰𐑩
Ilium The ancient name for Troy; the focal point of the ten-year war. Phonetic: IL-ee-um IPA: /ˈɪliəm/ Shavian: ·𐑦𐑤𐑦𐑩𐑥
Peloponnese The large peninsula of southern Greece, home to Pylos and Sparta. Phonetic: PELL-uh-puh-neez IPA: /ˌpɛləpəˈniːz/ Shavian: ·𐑐𐑧𐑤𐑩𐑐𐑩𐑯𐑰𐑟
The House of Ithaca
Odysseus The “wily” King of Ithaca. (Portrayed by Matt Damon) Phonetic: oh-DISS-ee-us IPA: /əˈdɪsiəs/ Shavian: ·𐑩𐑛𐑦𐑕𐑾𐑕
Penelope The Queen of “cunning and restraint.” (Portrayed by Anne Hathaway) Phonetic: puh-NELL-uh-pee IPA: /pɪˈnɛləpi/ Shavian: ·𐑐𐑦𐑯𐑧𐑤𐑩𐑐𐑦
Telemachus The Prince; the reluctant hero coming of age. (Portrayed by Tom Holland) Phonetic: tuh-LEH-muh-kus IPA: /tɪˈlɛməkəs/ Shavian: ·𐑑𐑦𐑤𐑧𐑥𐑩𐑒𐑩𐑕
The Suitor Mafia & Ithacan Citizens
Antinous The lead suitor and primary antagonist on the home front. (Portrayed by Robert Pattinson) Phonetic: an-TI-no-us IPA: /ænˈtɪnoʊəs/ Shavian: ·𐑨𐑯𐑑𐑦𐑯𐑴𐑩𐑕
Eurymachus The suitor with the “forked tongue.” Treachery wearing a fair face. Phonetic: yoo-RI-ma-kus IPA: /jʊˈrɪməkəs/ Shavian: ·𐑘𐑫𐑮𐑦𐑥𐑩𐑒𐑩𐑕
Aegyptius The elder of the assembly who prompts Telemachus’s “church” session (ekklesia) in Book 2. Phonetic: ee-JIP-shus IPA: /iˈdʒɪpʃəs/ Shavian: ·𐑰𐑡𐑦𐑐𐑖𐑩𐑕
The Court of Pylos & Veteran Warlords (Books 1-3)
Nestor The veteran King of Pylos; the “lord of the warcry.” Phonetic: NESS-tor IPA: /ˈnɛstɔːr/ Shavian: ·𐑯𐑧𐑕𐑑𐑹
Pylos (Location) A kingdom on the Peloponnese coastline; Telemachus’s first destination. Phonetic: PIE-lohs IPA: /ˈpaɪlɒs/ Shavian: ·𐑐𐑲𐑤𐑪𐑕
Pisistratus Nestor’s son and Telemachus’s travel companion. Phonetic: pye-SIS-truh-tus IPA: /paɪˈsɪstrətəs/ Shavian: ·𐑐𐑲𐑕𐑦𐑕𐑑𐑮𐑩𐑑𐑩𐑕
Agamemnon Commander of the Achaeans at Troy. (Portrayed by Benny Safdie) Phonetic: a-ga-MEM-non IPA: /ˌæɡəˈmɛmnɒn/ Shavian: ·𐑨𐑜𐑩𐑥𐑧𐑥𐑯𐑪𐑯
Menelaus The gritty King of Sparta, brother to Agamemnon. (Portrayed by Jon Bernthal) Phonetic: me-ne-LAY-us IPA: /ˌmɛnɪˈleɪəs/ Shavian: ·𐑥𐑧𐑯𐑦𐑤𐑱𐑩𐑕
The Divine & The Elements
Athena (Mentes / Mentor) The Goddess of Wisdom and the “Director” of the narrative. (Portrayed by Zendaya) Phonetic: uh-THEE-nuh IPA: /əˈθiːnə/ Shavian: ·𐑩𐑔𐑰𐑯𐑩
Poseidon The Earthshaker; treated as a hostile force of nature in our Nolan framework. Phonetic: puh-SYE-dun IPA: /pəˈsaɪdən/ Shavian: ·𐑐𐑩𐑕𐑲𐑛𐑩𐑯