There are many prominent figures in the story of the Odyssey. Most, if not all, nearly certainly fictitious, however, some of them are based in fact. Calypso, Circe, Polyphemus, Athena (Minerva in the Roman translation), and the Gods are based on religions and myth. They play an important part in understanding why the trip took so ling. but little else. They are attributed for all of the relations and positive attributes of the main characters including appearance, humility, and courage.
The other characters that were most likely around at the same time include Achilles, Agamemnon, Menelaus, and Hector. They are encountered in The Iliad at the city of Troy, but the Odyssey, we find them all safely bake at their respective kingdoms. Odysseus was a king of Ithaca but he was not allowed to return by the gods. This is one instance where they interact with the "mortal" world. They are sought out in the beginning by Odysseus' son Telemachus. He desires the knowledge of where his father has gone or if he is even alive. All admire Odysseus and treat all guests with respect. This is in accordance with the tradition of the times, so while some of the facts are exaggerated, the nature of the community is correct, therefore semi-proving the viability of the timeline.
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