HOMER: The Odyssey [Book XV]

In Book XV of Homer’s Odyssey, Minerva appears to Telemachus in a dream and tells him to immediately leave Sparta and return to Ithaca. When he arises the next morning, Telemachus takes his leave of Menelaus and sets out for Pylos, where his ship is anchored. He arrives at his ship and begins to load his possessions onto the ship. While Telemachus is offering sacrifices to the gods, Theoclymenus, a prophet from Argos who was exiled because he murdered his kinsman, begs Telemachus to take him to Ithaca and protect him from his pursuers. Telemachus agrees to do so, and they disembark from Pylos.

HOMER: The Odyssey [Book XIV]

In Book XIV of Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus arrives at the house of Eumaeus, the swineherd. Eumaeus generously feeds and entertains Odysseus and then asks Odysseus about himself. Odysseus, in the disguise of a beggar, claims that he is from the island of Crete, that he fought in the Trojan War, and that he escaped from a slave ship that landed on Ithaca. He also asserts that Odysseus will return home within the next month. Eumaeus does not believe him because several foreigners have already falsely foretold the return of Odysseus. Nevertheless, Eumaeus lodges Odysseus in his house for the night.

TACITUS: The Histories [Book III]

Vitellius’ forces challenged by Vespasian’s in Italy – Vespasian desired to win the war by depriving Vitellius’ forces of food and money. Vespasian controlled the majority of Italy’s grain supply from Egypt, and he also controlled the richest provinces in the Roman Empire, so his plan was sound. Furthermore, he did not desire to unnecessarily shed the blood of Romans. However, his orders did not reach his commanders until after they had engaged Vitellius’ forces in Italy.

HOMER: The Odyssey [Book XIII]

In Book XIII of Homer’s Odyssey, the Phaeacians escort Odysseus to Ithaca, where they place him, still sleeping, on the shore with all his treasure. When Odysseus awakens, he does not know where he is. The goddess Minerva appears to him in the form of a shepherd. Odysseus lies to Minerva about his identity until the goddess reveals herself to him. Minerva explains to Odysseus that he has finally reached Ithaca, but that he cannot immediately return to his home because the suitors would kill him. Together, they devise a plan by which Odysseus, disguised as a beggar, will slay the suitors. Accordingly, Minerva changes Odysseus into an old beggar and then flies to Sparta to escort Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, home.

TACITUS: The Histories [Book II]

Otho’s forces are defeated by those of Vitellius at Bedriacum; Otho commits suicide – The armies of Vitellius and Otho meet at Bedriacum. Otho’s generals advise inaction, believing that Vitellius’ army will eventually expend all their resources and surrender. Otho, however, is impatient and orders his generals to engage the foe while he travels to the safety of a neighboring town. Both sides fight honorably. Vitellius’ army secures victory. Upon hearing the news, members of Otho’s praetorian cohort urge him to renew the war with fresh troops that just arrived. Despite their pleas, Otho decides to commit suicide rather than risk the deaths of more Roman soldiers. Thus, with posterity, Otho gained notoriety for killing Galba and won fame for his glorious and selfless act of suicide.