In Homer’s epic tales—the foundational myths of Europe—you won’t find heroes with last names as we know them today. There were no family surnames, no hyphenated names, no double-barreled last names. Yet, Odysseus—the most cunning, the most human, and the most tormented of all the Greek heroes—had something akin to a last name: his patronymic, Laertiades.
What Does Laertiades Mean?
This name derives from Odysseus’ father, King Laertes. Laertiades simply means “son of Laertes.” It’s a patronymic, a term that indicates lineage through the father, and it was a common way of identifying individuals in ancient Greece. Many legendary figures had similar names: Achilles was Peleides (son of Peleus), Agamemnon was Atreides (son of Atreus), and Odysseus was Laertiades.
More Than Just Identification: A Symbol of Honor
Ancient Greeks didn’t use patronymics merely for identification. These names carried social and political weight. They linked a person to their heritage, their family’s status, and their bloodline’s heroic legacy. When Odysseus is called Laertiades, it’s not just a statement of lineage—it’s a declaration of legitimacy, inheritance, and participation in a larger historical narrative. It reinforces his role as the rightful heir to Ithaca’s throne and a successor to a royal legacy.
Odysseus’ Many Epithets
In The Odyssey, Odysseus isn’t just Laertiades; he is also called polytropos (the resourceful), polymetis (the wise), and dios (divine). Each of these descriptors conveys different aspects of his personality and status. However, Laertiades is unique because it doesn’t describe a trait—it asserts his lineage.
How the Ancient Greeks Used Patronymics
The practice of using patronymics wasn’t exclusive to mythology. In the ancient Greek world, formal identifications often included the father’s name. In inscriptions, decrees, and public records, a citizen was typically referred to as “X, son of Y.” This system was a key part of Greek identity, ensuring that one’s ancestry was always acknowledged. Whether in Athens, Sparta, or Macedon, names functioned as both personal markers and public declarations of heritage.
The Difference Between Patronymics and Modern Surnames
Unlike modern surnames, which are fixed and hereditary, ancient Greek patronymics changed with each generation. For instance, Odysseus’ son, Telemachus, could have been called Odysseiades (son of Odysseus), though no surviving texts record him that way. Each patronymic was unique to its bearer and emphasized the direct father-son relationship rather than a lasting family name.
A Deeper Philosophical Meaning
In ancient Greece, identity wasn’t solely about individual achievements—it was also about belonging. Odysseus, despite his brilliance and independence, always carried his father’s name. This wasn’t just tradition; it was a reflection of Greek values. No one existed in isolation. Everyone was part of a lineage, a city, a legacy. Patronymics reinforced this sense of interconnectedness.
What Laertiades Means Today
Modern readers might overlook the significance of Laertiades, dismissing it as a poetic embellishment. But in reality, it’s the closest thing Odysseus had to a last name—a name that didn’t just indicate who he was but also where he came from. It was a link to his ancestry, a reminder of his origins, and a reflection of the ancient world’s understanding of identity and heritage.
