Pisistratus
Pisistratus
8 min read
Youngest son of Nestor, king of Pylos, Pisistratus is a character in Homer's Odyssey. He welcomes Telemachus at Pylos and accompanies him to Sparta to meet Menelaus. A figure of friendship and hospitality, he embodies the aristocratic virtues of the Greek epic.
Key Facts
- Youngest son of Nestor, king of Pylos, one of the heroes who survived the Trojan War
- Welcomes Telemachus upon his arrival at Pylos (Book III of the Odyssey)
- Accompanies Telemachus to Sparta to meet Menelaus and Helen (Book IV)
- Portrayed by Homer as eloquent, amiable, and respectful of the gods
- A character symbolizing the transmission of heroic values from one generation to the next
Works & Achievements
An epic poem in 24 books tracing Odysseus's return after the Trojan War. Peisistratos appears mainly in Books III, IV, and XV, which make up the 'Telemachy,' the account of Telemachus's coming-of-age journey.
A narrative subset of the Odyssey centered on Telemachus's journey to Pylos and Sparta. It is in this section that Peisistratos plays his central role as companion, guide, and spokesman for the son of Odysseus.
Lost poems from the Trojan Epic Cycle recounting the returns of the Greek heroes after the fall of Troy. They described, among other things, Nestor's swift and happy homecoming to Pylos — the direct family context of Peisistratos.
Anecdotes
When Telemachus arrives at Pylos to gather news of his father Odysseus, he finds himself in the middle of a sacrifice to Poseidon on the beach. It is Pisistrate who first welcomes him, hands him a golden cup, and asks him to pray to the god before anything else. This gesture perfectly illustrates the ritual of hospitality (xenia) in the Homeric world: one never asks a stranger's name before offering him food and drink.
Designated by his father Nestor to accompany Telemachus to Sparta, Pisistrate shows remarkable maturity for a young man. Upon their arrival at Menelaus's palace, he speaks eloquently to introduce his companion, skillfully navigating the codes of aristocratic diplomacy. This oratorical talent impresses Menelaus, who welcomes them both with the greatest honors.
When Menelaus evokes the memory of Odysseus and Telemachus lets slip a tear, Pisistrate intervenes with delicacy: he reveals his friend's identity and explains that his grief is entirely natural for the son of a lost hero. This moment reveals his psychological sensitivity and sense of friendship; he knows how to speak for his companion when the latter cannot speak for himself.
At the moment of departure from Sparta, Pisistrate must use all his tact to convince Telemachus not to leave hastily without receiving the gifts offered by Menelaus. He reminds him that cutting short the rites of hospitality would be a grave offense to gods and men alike. This scene shows that Pisistrate, though he is Nestor's youngest son, has perfectly internalized the codes of conduct of the Greek epic aristocracy.
Primary Sources
Pisistratus, son of Nestor, was the first to come forward; he took both strangers by the hand and seated them at the feast on soft rugs, beside his brother Thrasymedes and his father, then served them portions of meat and poured wine into a golden cup.
Then Pisistratus spoke and said: "Son of Atreus, Zeus-nurtured Menelaus, this man is the son of that wise Odysseus; but he is modest and blushes in his heart to let his voice run free before you on his first visit."
Pisistratus then said to Telemachus: "Remember, when you have returned to your homeland, to speak of me to your father Odysseus, for he showed me the same kindness that a father shows his son during the Trojan War."
Key Places
The royal city of Nestor on the Peloponnesian coast, Pylos is the home of Peisistratos and the starting point of his journey with Telemachus. It is on its beach, in the midst of a sacrifice to Poseidon, that the two young men meet for the very first time.
The destination of Peisistratos and Telemachus's journey, the magnificent palace of Menelaus and Helen welcomes them with splendor. It is here that Telemachus learns news of his father Odysseus, held captive on the island of Calypso.
The kingdom of Odysseus and birthplace of Telemachus, the island of Ithaca is the ultimate goal of the coming-of-age journey undertaken by Odysseus's son. Peisistratos helps his friend draw closer to it by serving as his guide, companion, and spokesman.
The legendary city where Nestor, father of Peisistratos, fought alongside the Achaeans for ten years. The tales of the Trojan War form the backdrop of every conversation Peisistratos hears in his father's megaron.