in greek mythology, antinous (), son of eupeithes, is most known for his role in homer’s "odyssey". one of two prominent suitors vying for penelope’s hand in marriage, the other being eurymachus, antinous is presented as a violent, mean-spirited, and over-confident character who willfully defiles odysseus’ home while the hero is lost at sea. in an attempt to kill telemachus, the son of odysseus and penelope, antinous sends out a small band of suitors in the strait between ithaca and rugged same where there is a rocky isle called "asteris", to intercept the young prince on his journey back to ithaca from the hall of menelaus. the plan, however, fails, as telemachus avoids the trap with help from the goddess athena.