The race

.... and the powerful Telemachos smiled, looking at his father, but avoided the pig herder's eyes.

Odussey Book 16 line 453-455 Barry B Powell

The race

6:30

8:30

7:30

9:30

10:45

8:30

8:45

9:45

Spot line

Bronze age fast ship

Bronze age merchant ship

After having dropped off Telemachos on the 'nearest shore' at 6:30, his comrades have to row the ship against a headwind from the south, so it takes a while to reach Cape Lipso, the place where they come into view of the watchmen. The moment the ship becomes fully visible after rounding Cape Lipso, when it's closest to the strait, it would've been about 8:30 and the ambush ship is either patrolling the strait or moored in one of the two harbours near Asteris. It doesn't matter much because the watchmen would still have had to descend from their lookout point to board the ship and they couldn't have left before 8:45. Even if they could've reached twice the speed of Telemachos' ship sailing with a tailwind, they could never have overtaken it and win the race. Youngster Telemachos has outsmarted the arrogant suitors.

Father and son are a shrewd couple, the suitors are under tremendous pressure. And they know it. At the place of assembly, where the suitors gather to discuss the matter, harsh decisions will have to be made.

Cape Lipso