"Friend, what a noble house! Odysseus’ house, it must be!
No mistaking it – you could tell it among a townful, look.
One building linked to the next, and the courtyard wall
is finished off with a fine coping, the double doors
are battle-proof – no man could break them down!
I can tell a crowd is feasting there in force –
smell the savor of roasts…the ringing lyre, listen,
the lyre that god has made the friend of feasts."
– Homer
The Odyssey, Book 17, lines 290-297. Odysseus makes this speech as he lays his eyes on his royal residence for the first time in twenty years. Despite the king’s long absence, the palace still maintains its regal appearance. There is a large crowd of people feasting inside and the smell of roasts and music of the lyre coming from it. The only difference is that the feasters are not welcome friends but greedy suitors who have invaded and are looting Odysseus’ property.