In Odysseus’ journey home, there are numerous examples of help and hindrances from gods and goddesses. Two of the powers that intervened were Poseidon and Athena. Poseidon created several ways to stop his journey. However, the Goddess Athena helped him overcome Poseidon’s attempts to stop him and other obstacles.
Odysseus and his men stopped on an island with cyclops on their way home. One of the cyclops killed two of Odysseus’ men. Odysseus put out the eye of the cyclop. The cyclop prayed to his father, Poseidon, the god of the sea, that Odysseus would not make it home: O hear me, lord blue girdler of the islands, if I am indeed, and thou art father; grant that Odysseus, raider of cities, never sees his home. (484-487)