He was kidnapped as a child by his nurse, who was seduced by a Phoenician sailor; during the voyage, the nurse was killed by Artemis. The ship eventually docked at the island of Ithaca, where Laertes, father of Odysseus, bought the young Eumaeus as a slave.

What does Eumaeus do in The Odyssey?

Eumaeus. The loyal shepherd who, along with the cowherd Philoetius, helps Odysseus reclaim his throne after his return to Ithaca. Even though he does not know that the vagabond who appears at his hut is Odysseus, Eumaeus gives the man food and shelter.

Why does Eumaeus visit the palace?

Eumaeus thus goes to the palace alone to tell Penelope that her son has returned. When father and son are alone in the hut, Athena appears to Odysseus and calls him outside. When Odysseus reenters the hut, his old-man disguise is gone, and he stands in the pristine glory of his heroic person.