#philoetlus

Engysis (marriage contract)   

“Prince Icarius,” Odysseus called as he followed the Spartan prince down a corridor of his grand palace. 

“Hm?” Prince Icarius responded and faced Odysseus. “What do you need from me, Ithacus?”

“... Your daughter’s hand,” Odysseus said with a grin. Prince Icarius looked confused.

“I thought you were here for Lady Helen, are you not?”

“I was … but your Penelope has captured my heart far more. Day by day, I am more captivated by her sheer beauty and cleverness, my lord. Lady Penelope is like a light that has brightened my life, and I never want that light to go out. I would be more than humbled to call her my wife, and I know that the people of Ithaca would rejoice that we would finally have a queen again. One to rule alongside me until my end days. My prince, I love your daughter more than anything I have known. I would be honored to call her mine. Prince Icarius of Sparta, please give me your blessing.”

Odysseus always had a way with words. 

Prince Icarius let out a long sigh. After a few moments of silence, he extended his hand to Odysseus, and Odysseus gladly took his hand and firmly shook it. 

“Thank you, my lord,” Odysseus said, trying to hold back tears, to not embarrass himself in front of his future father in-law. 

Prince Icarius’s hand let go of Odysseus’s grasp. “Take care of my Penelope. Protect her. She shall make you a worthy heir for your kingdom. This unity shall strengthen the alliance between Sparta and Ithaca.”

Odysseus couldn’t stop smiling.

“Come, follow me to the sitting room. The conversation can continue there.” Prince Icarius walked down the corridor to a large room with benches. Odysseus followed.

Proaulia (transition from child to bride)

Penelope sat in the dining room along with her mother, enjoying one last meal together in Sparta before her family made their way to Ithaca for Odysseus and Penelope’s wedding. 

“Oh, I am so nervous,” Penelope said to her mother as she took the last few bites of her favorite meal: roasted goose and legumes. 

“My love, you will be fine. Odysseus is a fine man. You said so yourself,” Periboea said to her daughter as she stroked her thick black hair. “Your father and I will be at the festivities, my dear. It’s normal for girls to be nervous before they join their husband. But, as a royal of Sparta, it is customary for you to join a man who can strengthen the ties of our kingdoms. Your marriage will do just that, I am sure.” 

“I know it will, mother,” Penelope said with a weak smile. 

“What a beautiful bride you will be. Are you ready for proteleia?” Periboea asked.

Penelope let out an exhale and nodded.

“Okay, I will grab your father and we will begin. I am so proud of you, my Penelope,” Periboea said and cupped Penelope’s cheeks in her hands. 

Proteleia (the bride’s nuptial sacrifice to the gods)

Penelope made her way to her palace’s shrine to Lady Artemis. Candles illuminated the intricately carved statue of the goddess, and all of Penelope’s dolls and childhood clothes were placed in front of the shrine as a dedication. 

“Penelope?” her mother and father walked up behind her as she observed the shrine. “Sit,” they said to her.

Penelope kneeled down in front of the shrine. She could feel her mother’s hands pressed on her head. 

She knew what was coming. 

Prince Icaruis kneeled down next to Penelope with a pair of shears and a small box in hand. 

He gave a small nod to his wife, and both started chanting prayers to Artemis. 

As they chanted, Icarius cut strands of Penelope’s baby hair from her forehead and placed them in the small box, then placed it alongside the other items, a sacrifice of Penelope’s childhood to the gods. 

Finally, at the end of the ceremony, Periboea placed a linen veil over her daughter’s face. 

Penelope knew that once Odysseus lifted the veil from her face the next night, she would be his.

Gamos (the wedding day)

As soon as the Spartan ship reached Ithacan soil, Penelope and Periboea were whisked off to a guest house, where a handful of slave girls were waiting to begin the bride’s wedding day process. 

First, Penelope was instructed to take a nuptial bath. It was unlike anything she had seen. It was almost like a ritual. Slave girls changed Penelope out of her chiton, undergarments and carefully removed her veil. Sacred, purified water from a loutrophoros was poured into a large bathing basin. 

Periboea stood, watching from a corner, as the servants guided her daughter into the water-filled basin and began to massage her skin with rose oil-soaked cloths. Lavish bottles of creams and ointments were rubbed on Penelope’s shoulders and then poured into the basin. As much as Penelope felt uncomfortable, she knew that it was necessary for a bride to be purified for her groom.

After a while, Periboea and the slave girls left the room and let the bride relax in her bath. 

Penelope felt the warm water calmly moving around her, the oils setting on her skin, the sun from the nearby window shining on her face. Ocean waves crashing and seagulls could be heard outside. 

She felt a calmness wash over her and closed her eyes. There Penelope laid, fully exposed in the basin, in her purest form, at peace, gathering herself for the most important moment in her life. 

“I am Penelope of Ithaca,” she softly said to herself, and smiled. 

Soon after, a slave girl, Melantho, came back in to help Penelope out of the basin and into a fresh set of clothes. Melantho pinned Penelope’s hair up into a braid, and new bracelets and necklaces were placed on her body.

“A gift from King Odysseus,” Melantho said as she adorned Penelope with fine jewelry. 

Lastly, she placed her veil back over Penelope’s head.

“My lady, an escort will be here shortly to bring you to the temple. The king will be waiting for you there.” Melantho said, and left Penelope alone once again.

“Finally,” Penelope thought to herself. She could hardly wait to see Odysseus. They hadn’t seen each other since he left Sparta a few months ago. She longed for him. Her husband.

Euchomai (prayers of a fruitful marriage)

After a short while, a man appeared in the doorway.

“My lady? I am Philoetlus, and I will be your escort to the temple. If you will follow me, please.”

Penelope followed Philoetlus a short distance to the temple. 

“King Odysseus is waiting for you inside. It is a pleasure meeting you, Lady Penelope. Please do not hesitate if you need anything.”

Penelope smiled warmly. 

“Thank you, Philoetlus,” she said, and made her way to the temple’s grand entrance. 

And there he was, handsome as ever.

Odysseus held his arm out to her, signaling to come join him before the shrine. 

Penelope made her way to him and took his hand. They both looked into each other’s eyes for a while, enjoying the intimacy. Odysseus broke the silence. 

“My love. You look gorgeous,” he said to Penelope.

Penelope could feel heat rising in her cheeks. “Thank you, my Odysseus. And thank you for the fine jewelry. It is stunning.”

“It’s nothing compared to your beauty, love,” he spoke softly, and placed a tender kiss on her cheek. “I am the luckiest man alive that I get to spend my life with you. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

“Nor could I,” Penelope breathed, and turned her attention to the large shrine to Athena in front of them, not letting go of Odysseus’s hand. “Now, let us give our prayers to the gods, that our marriage will be fruitful.”

Odysseus nodded and prayed aloud. 

“Lady Athena, hear our prayers. Ensure that Penelope and I’s marriage be one of unconditional love and friendship, one of respect and wellbeing,” Odysseus said to the statue of Athena.

“I will,” a voice said. Penelope jumped at the sound, but Odysseus was quick to calm her.

“It is okay, my dear,” he said to Penelope. “Lady Athena hears us.”

Just then, an owl flew through the window and landed on top of the shrine.

“I hear you,” said the owl.

“... Lady Athena,” Penelope whispered, and bowed her head. Odysseus bowed his head as well.