Examples Of Pirates In The Odyssey

There are distinct differences between the depictions of pirates in the Odyssey and those contained within Chaereas and Callirhoe. These variations reflect a shift in perception that occurred between the Classical Greek era and the Roman period. Whereas the depictions of pirates contained within the Odyssey indicate that piracy was considered to be a perfectly normal activity carried out by the Greek heroes themselves, by the time that Chaereas and Callirhoe was written, pirates were viewed with widespread fear and distrust. Therefore, it can be argued that in the Odyssey, there is a certain amount of self-identification with the figures of the pirates: the pirates are seen as an extension of the Greeks themselves, and even Odysseus. However,

within Chaereas and Callirhoe, the pirates are outward projections of the Romans, with the pirate Theron serving as a literary foil to Chaereas.
In both Greek and Roman cultures, the words for “bandit” and “pirate” are largely interchangeable (Panagakos, 2004). The authors of ancient texts generally discriminates between the two by specifying banditry that occurred on land, from that which took place on the sea. Additionally, in the Classical Greek tradition, there was often little difference between Greek sailors or merchants, and pirates; often only the nature of their specific actions labeled them as “pirates” (de Souza, 1999). Jackson notes that in Ancient Greece, status was conferred by how much booty a hero was able to amass; the amassing was often accomplished through piracy (Jackson, 1973).
In the Odyssey, Odysseus boasts to Eumaios that he has led other Greeks in raiding the coast and accumulating stolen wealth: “I had been the leader of men nine times and had gone in my swift-flying ships against foreign men, and much booty came to me.

Of the spoils I selected those I desired” (Od. 14.229-232). In Book 9, Achilles also describes acts of piracy: “Then I plundered twelve cities of men with my ships, and eleven others by land throughout the fertile Troad. I took many good treasures from all these…” (9.328-332). Later on, in Book 17, Odysseus asks Antiinoos for food, and tells him that Zeus made him keep company with pirates in Egypt (17.424). Other examples can be found throughout the text of the Odyssey (14.257,

17.425).
It is important to note that for the Greeks, the factors that distinguish piracy from heroism or the collection of war spoils are a connection to results.

If the piracy led to catastrophe and a lack of honor, then those acts are condemned. If they do not, then they are lauded. Odysseus regrets his piracy in Egypt only because it was a failure (17.429-433).

By the time of the Romans, views on piracy had changed considerably. Panagakos (2004) notes that according to ancient Roman historians, such as Plutarch and Livy, Roman laws were set in place in order to pursue and prosecute pirates as early as 102 B.C.. One such account describes how Julius Caesar sought out pirates from Rhodes and crucified them (Panagakos, 2004).

In Chaereas and Callirhoe, Theron is described as “a criminal who sailed the sea and had ruffians stationed in harbors with the boats acting as ferrymen, but trained as pirates” (1.7). Theron is described as being clever and as the novel progresses, he is even given human elements, such as when he worries about being betrayed by his fellow pirates (1.12), but he has a distinctly criminal element that is lacking in the Greek view of

pirates.
It should be noted that when she wakes and finds the pirates around her, Callirhoe does not shy away from the pirates who find her in the tomb when they break in to steal the riches; rather she thanks them (1.7). However, the pirates are still portrayed as being greedy and opportunistic, and rather than letting Callirhoe go free, they kidnap her for ransom. The pirates in the Roman novel are also prone to corrupt others and lead them into crime, as when Theron goes to the local taverns and brothels to recruit men for his schemes (1.7).
Helms (1966) notes that Theron serves as a contrast and literary foil to Chaereas; this is a dichotomy of villain and hero that is lacking in the Greek literature. Furthermore, Chaereas actually seems somewhat weak in comparison to Theron; when the ships are launched to look for Callirhoe, Chaereas remains below deck weeping (3.4).
In conclusion, there is a clear evolution in regards to the way that pirates are viewed from the Classical Greek period to the era of the Romans. For the ancient Greeks, piracy was an act that was not restricted to villains; heroes might engage in piracy if it led to honor. However, for the Romans, piracy was a clearly villainous pursuit that contrasted with heroic acts.