Ulysses is the hero of the Odyssey, written by the Greek poet Homer in the 8th century BC.
He is a figure from Greek mythology, which tells stories about war between humans and the gods.
In ancient times, the Greeks believed these historic epic poems.
Did Ulysses really exist?
No, because mythology is a collection of legends.
Ulysses is famous for having had the idea, during the Trojan War, to hide inside a giant wooden horse with his army to attack the Trojans by surprise.
The Odyssey recounts his adventures on the way home to Ithaca, where he was king, and where his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus were waiting.
The god Poseidon does everything to stop Ulysses from getting home because he had blinded his son Polyphemus, the Cyclops.
Ulysses sailed around the Mediterranean Sea and overcame many dangers: he met the beautiful witch Circe, who turned his sailors into swine…
During all these years, many men want to marry Penelope. She promises her suitors that she will marry when she has finished her weaving, which she unpicks every night.
But she is forced to organize an archery tournament to choose her new husband.
Ulysses, who had just arrived back on the island disguised as a beggar, wins the competition!
Ever since, the story of Ulysses has inspired many painters and writers, and even film directors.