BBC
·Jul 2026
For 1,000 years, a cult worshipped the hero of the Odyssey
Archaeological discoveries on Ithaca reveal evidence of a long‑lasting hero cult dedicated to Odysseus, including coins, roof tiles, and artefacts linked to a sanctuary known as the Odysseion. Excavations at the School of Homer highlight the site’s role as both a civic assembly point and a religious centre for worshippers. Findings support accounts of festivals, votive offerings, and rituals honouring the Homeric hero, whose myth helped shape regional identity across centuries. The cult persisted for roughly a millennium, reflecting the enduring influence of the Odyssey within ancient Greek culture.