In the Trojan War tradition, Odysseus was known for clever disguises and strategic planning.
Odysseus was the king of Ithaca and one of the Greek commanders at Troy. Ancient stories portray him as exceptionally resourceful, relying on intelligence, persuasion, and deception rather than only physical strength. His Roman name is Ulysses.
Odysseus is associated with several major episodes connected with the war. He helped recruit Achilles, discovered Achilles’ hiding place on Scyros, and was sent on diplomatic missions. Later traditions credit him with proposing or devising the Trojan Horse, although the existing stories differ over the exact details of the plan.
The Odyssey follows Odysseus’ difficult journey home after the war. It is separate from the Iliad, which centers on Achilles’ anger during a short period of the conflict. Odysseus’ reputation for strategic intelligence is why the adjective “Odyssean” is associated with his long, difficult adventures.