In the third book of Homer's Odyssey,
the title character's son Telemachus travels from Ithaca to Pylos, which is on the
southwestern coast of Greece. There, Telemachus meets with Nestor and various members of
his family.
Nestor tells Telemachus about an argument that
occurred between Agamemnon and Menelaus after the fall of Troy. In the course of his
comments, Nestor claims that none of the other Greeks in the army could rival Odysseus
in "counsel" (i.e., the ability to give advice or provide
plans). Nestor also declares that Odysseus
"was supreme in all known
stratagems" (A.S. Kline translation). Nestor also adds that he and
Odysseus
never spoke on opposite sides, in council or
assembly, but with one mind advised the Argives, wisely and shrewdly, how to achieve
success.
Thus, for
Nestor, Odysseus' greatest assets are his abilities involve the powers of thought and
speech. This contrasts with Achilles, who surpassed all other Greeks in physical
ability.
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