For nearly three millennia, Homer’s epic, The Odyssey, has been celebrated as one of literature’s greatest journeys. It narrates the tale of a displaced king battling divine forces and mythical creatures to reclaim his throne in Ithaca. The epic has inspired over 60 English translations and more than 36 film adaptations, with the latest by Christopher Nolan releasing globally on Friday.

While modern scholars largely view Odysseus as a fictional creation of Homer, recent archaeological findings on Ithaca suggest otherwise. Excavations have unveiled a 2,400-year-old sanctuary where Odysseus was worshipped, hinting that he was perceived as real by ancient Greeks.

Carved into the terraces of Mount Exogi, the complex known locally as the School of Homer was largely dismissed by early excavations as unrelated to The Odyssey. However, since 2018, Giannos G. Lolos and his team have discovered significant structures at the site, including a ceremonial hall, a potential watchtower, and a Mycenaean-style cistern.

Despite local speculation that these ruins could be Odysseus’ palace, Dr. Lolos indicates that the structures don’t date back to 1200 B.C., the time of Odysseus’ adventures. Still, these findings connect ancient storytelling with historical reality, evidencing the Greek worship of Odysseus as a genuine cultural figure.