PLUS Handbook
The Tale of the Mentor

The story of the Mentor came from Homer's Odyssey. When Odysseus, King of Ithaca, went to fight in the Trojan War, he entrusted the care of his kingdom to Mentor who served as the teacher and overseer of Odysseus's son, Telemachus.

After the war and many years later, Telemachus, now grown, went in search for his father. Athena, Goddess of War and patroness on the arts and industry, who assumed the role of his Mentor, accompanied Telemachus on his search.

Father and son were reunited and together they cast down those desiring Odysseus's throne and Telemachus's birthright. Athena's role as Mentor for Telemachus, was not only to raise him, but also to prepare him for the responsibilities he was to assume in his lifetime. In time, the word Mentor became synonymous with trusted friend, advisor, teacher, and wise person.