1. Departure for Troy:
- Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, was among the Greek warriors who set out for the Trojan War to reclaim Helen of Troy from the Trojans.
2. The Trojan Horse Strategy:
- Odysseus devised the famous Trojan Horse strategy that ultimately led to the Greeks' victory over Troy.
3. Wrath of Poseidon:
- Odysseus angered the sea god, Poseidon, by blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus, during his journey back home. This wrath brought numerous obstacles and delays during Odysseus's journey.
4. Wandering and Adventures:
- After the fall of Troy, Odysseus embarked on a long and perilous journey home, facing various trials and encounters with mythical creatures. These included encountering the Lotus-Eaters, the Cyclops, the Laestrygonians, the witch Circe, the Sirens, and Scylla and Charybdis.
5. Captivity in Calypso's Island:
- Odysseus spent seven years on the island of Ogygia, where he was held captive by the nymph Calypso. She offered him immortality if he remained with her, but Odysseus yearned to return home.
6. Phaeacia and Arrival in Ithaca:
- After escaping from Calypso's island, Odysseus found himself in the land of the Phaeacians, where he received help from King Alcinous. The Phaeacians provided him with a ship and escorted him back to Ithaca.
7. Disguise and Testing of Loyalties:
- Upon arriving in Ithaca, Odysseus disguised himself as a beggar to test the loyalty of his wife, Penelope, and his household.
8. Reunion with Telemachus:
- During his absence, Odysseus's son, Telemachus, grew concerned about his father's whereabouts. Telemachus embarked on a journey to search for news about Odysseus and eventually reunited with him in Ithaca.
Overall, Odysseus's life before his homecoming was characterized by challenges, adventures, and encounters with various divinities and mythical beings. His journey back home was a complex and arduous one, filled with trials that tested his courage, wisdom, and determination to return to his homeland.