For the butterfly genus, see Eumaeus (butterfly).

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Bonaventura Genelli, Odysseus sits by the fire as Eumaeus discovers Telemachus at the entrance of his hut

In Greek mythology, Eumaeus (Greek: Εὔμαιος, Eumaios) was Odysseus's swineherd and friend. His father, Ktesios son of Ormenos, was king of an island called Syria. When he was a young child a Phoenician sailor seduced his nurse, a slave, who agreed to bring the child among other treasures in exchange for their help in her escape. The nurse was killed by Artemis on the journey by sea, but the sailors continued to Ithaca where Odysseus' father Laertes bought him as a slave. Thereafter he was brought up with Odysseus and his sister Ctimene (or Ktimene), and was treated by Anticleia, their mother, almost as Ctimene's equal.

In Homer's Odyssey, Eumaeus is the first mortal that Odysseus meets after his return to Ithaca after fighting in the Trojan War. He has four dogs, 'savage as wild beasts,' who protect his pigs. Although he does not recognise his old master — Odysseus is in disguise — and has his misgivings, Eumaeus treats Odysseus well, offering food and shelter to one whom he thinks is a mere indigent. On being pushed to explain himself, Odysseus spins a distorted tale, misleading Eumaeus into believing that he is the son not of Laertes but of Castor.

The swineherd refuses to accept the vow that Odysseus, whom he loves above all others (rendering him especially bitter towards the suitors), is finally on his way home. Having heard such assurances all too often, and been deceived by a prevaricator from Aetolia, Eumaeus has become inured to them. "Don't you try to gratify or soothe my heart with falsehoods," he cautions:

"It is not for that reason that I shall respect and entertain you, but because I fear Zeus, the patron of strangers, and pity you."

God-fearing, suspicious, and scrupulous, Eumaeus delivers probably the oldest extant example of literary sarcasm when, after Odysseus offers a bargain entailing that he be thrown off a cliff should he lose, he answers:

"That would be virtuous of me, my friend, and good reputation would be mine among men, for present time alike and hereafter, if first I led you into my shelter, there entertained you as guest, then murdered you and ravished the dear life from you. Then cheerfully I could go and pray to Zeus, son of Kronos" (XIV.402-6, translation Lattimore).

Eumaeus is generous in his offerings to guests and gods (Hermes in particular) and so fair-minded as to strive to divide meals equally between everyone he feeds. The axiom "The god will give, and the god will take away, according to his will, for he can do anything" fairly encapsulates his philosophy.

During his master's long absence, Eumaeus acquires from the Taphians a servant, Mesaulius, with his own ostensibly meagre resources. Mesaulius serves as a waiter during Odysseus's first supper back on Ithaca, in Eumaeus's hut with its owner and his fellow herders.

Eumaeus also welcomes Odysseus's son, Telemachus, when he returns from his voyage to Pylos and Sparta. When Telemachus returns, he visits Eumaeus as soon as he gets off his boat, as Athena directed him. In Eumaeus' hut is Odysseus in disguise. Eumaeus greets Telemachus as a father, expressing his deep worry while Telemachus was gone and his relief now that is safely back. Homer even uses a simile to reiterate the father-son relationship between Telemachus and Eumaeus. He says,

"And as a loving father embraces his own son

Come back from a distant land after ten long years,

His only son, greatly beloved and much sorrowed for"

(The Odyssey, Book 16 lines 19-21).

With Odysseus sitting beside Eumaeus and Telemachus, the audience is especially aware of this relationship.

During the slaughter of the suitors, Eumaeus assists Telemachus and Odysseus as well.^[1]

References[link]

1. ^ Homer. Odyssey. Trans. Stanley Lombardo. Canada: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 2000.

See also[link]

• Greek mythology in popular culture

Eumaus

Slough Feg (also known as The Lord Weird Slough Feg) is a heavy metal band that formed in Pennsylvania in the early 1990s and is currently based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Taking their name from the Celtic folklore-influenced comic Sláine,^[1] the band released their self-titled debut album in 1996. The band combines influences from traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Brocas Helm and Thin Lizzy, and English folk metal band Skyclad.^{[citation needed]}

Slough Feg's 2003 album Traveller was a concept album based on GDW's role playing game of the same name. With the release of Atavism in 2005, the band officially shortened its name to Slough Feg. Guitarist Mike Scalzi maintains that the band always referred to itself this way internally, and the addition of "The Lord Weird" made it too difficult to find Slough Feg albums in stores (which alphabetized the CDs in inconsistent ways).^[2] Slough Feg is currently signed to Profound Lore Records^[3] and most recently released The Animal Spirits on October 26, 2010.

Biography[link]

Slough Feg originates from central Pennsylvania, but relocated to San Francisco, California in 1990 with the hopes of resurrecting the heavy metal scene in America. The band produced three demo tapes in the early 1990s before releasing their self-titled debut album. Bassist Justin Phelps left the band shortly after. In 1998, the European music label Dragonheart signed Slough Feg and the band released their second album Twilight of the Idols in 1999. The band released Down Among the Deadmen in 2000, and Traveller in 2003.

In 2005 the band moved to the Italian record label Cruz del Sur and released their fifth studio album, Atavism.^[4] The band also officially shortened their name to, "Slough Feg" after the album's release. After the change of name, John Cobbett left in good terms with the band, and was replaced by current member Angelo Tringali in January 2005.^[5] Around the same time, drummer and founding member Greg Haa left the band for personal reasons, and was replaced by current member, Antoine Reuben-Diavola.^[6] In 2007 the band released their sixth album (their second with Cruz del Sur), Hardworlder, recorded and produced with former bass player Justin Phelps. In 2008 the band released The Slay Stack Grows on Shadow Kingdom Records. This was a double-CD release of old demos and live recordings from the band's early days.

The band toured in Europe,^[7] and the United States, doing coast-to-coast tours summers of 2005 and 2006, including an appearance at the first annual Alehorn of Power festival in Chicago, Illinois.^[8]

Discography[link]

• The Lord Weird Slough Feg (1996)
• Twilight of the Idols (1999)
• Down Among the Deadmen (2000)
• Traveller (2003)
• Atavism (2005)
• Hardworlder (2007)
• The Slay Stack Grows (2008) (compilation)
• Ape Uprising (2009)
• The Animal Spirits (2010)
• Made in Poland (2011) (live album)

Lineup[link]

Current members[link]

• Michael Scalzi – guitars/vocals (1990–present)
• Angelo Tringali – guitars (2005–present)
• Adrian Maestas – bass (2001–present)
• Harry Cantwell – drums (2007–present)

Former members[link]

• Omar Herd – vocals
• Chris Haa – guitars
• Andrew Sebba – guitars
• John Cobbett (Hammers of Misfortune, Ludicra, Gwar) – guitars
• Justin Phelps – bass
• Scott Beach – bass
• Jon Torres (Ulysses Siren, Angel Witch, Warning S.F., I4NI, Lääz Rockit, Heathen) – bass
• Jim Mack (Black Goat (US), Weakling) – bass
• Dave Passmore – drums
• Stu Kane – drums
• Greg Haa (Isen Torr) – drums
• Antoine Reuben-Diavola (Hadan, Black Goat (US), Weakling) – drums

References[link]

External links[link]

• The Slough Feg Official Website
• The Slough Feg Official MySpace Website