In Greek mythology, Callidice (; ) is a queen of Thesprotia in Epirus, an ancient region in northwestern Greece. In the Telegony, the lost sequel to the Odyssey, she marries the wandering hero Odysseus when he visits her land after the end of his marine adventures and helps her rule the kingdom and defeat her enemies. They have a son together, but after Callidice's death Odysseus returns again back to his homeland Ithaca.

Family There is a lot that is missing about the history of Callidice's family or lineage, other than she was from the royal family of Thesprotia.

Mythology In the Telegony, after Odysseus managed to get back home to Ithaca, he sailed away once more along the northern shore until he reached Thesprotia and the kingdom of Callidice, where he offered sacrifice to Poseidon in order to propitiate him as Tiresias had told him.Apollodorus E.7.34; see note 1 by Frazer. The queen warmly welcomed Odysseus and urged him to stay, even offering him her kingdom. Although his wife Penelope was still alive and waiting for him in Ithaca, Odysseus nevertheless agreed to marry Callidice. Together, they ruled over Thesprotia for a number of years, during which Callidice bore him a son named Polypoetes.Homerica, The Telegony summary

At some point, a war broke out between Callidice's people and a neighbouring people, the Bryges. In the war that ensued Odysseus led the Thesprotians to victory.Apollodorus E.7.35 They were supported by Odysseus' patron goddess Athena, while the Bryges had the help of the war-god Ares, until Apollo intervened to separate the two gods. Following the war Callidice and Odysseus reigned over the land for some time until the queen's own death. Afterwards, she was succeeded to the throne by their son Polypoetes, as Odysseus decided to return to his wife and son in Ithaca instead of staying to rule Thesprotia.

See also

Hippolyta Epic Cycle

References

Bibliography Apollodorus, The Library with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. ISBN 0-674-99135-4. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.

Evelyn-White, Hugh G., Hesiod, the Homeric Hymns, and Homerica, with an English Translation, Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1914.