Was the slaying of more than 100 suitors by the Ancient Greek hero Odysseus an act of justified defense or a brutal massacre? On Thursday, March 12, that question—one of literature’s oldest moral dilemmas—will be argued in a Chicago courtroom setting, not by literary scholars but by some of the city’s top legal minds.
The National Hellenic Museum (NHM) is hosting its signature “Trial of Odysseus” at the Harris Theater, where attendees will act as the final jury to decide the fate of Homer’s famous traveler. The unscripted event seeks to bridge the gap between ancient mythology and contemporary legal practice. While the Odyssey depicts Odysseus’ return to Ithaca as a triumphant homecoming, his violent resolution to the “suitor problem”—men who had overrun his home to claim his throne and wife—has fueled debate for centuries.
“This is a rare opportunity to see leading attorneys argue a historic case before a distinguished panel of judges,” says Marianne Kountoures, Executive Director of the National Hellenic Museum. “It invites audiences to think about how Ancient Greek history and myth can speak directly to contemporary questions about leadership, judgment, and human conduct.”
The event features a powerhouse lineup of local legal talent. Representing the defense of Odysseus are Patrick M. Collins (King & Spalding LLP) and Tinos Diamantatos (King & Spalding LLP). Representing the prosecution are Antonio Romanucci (Romanucci & Blandin LLC) and Daisy Ayllón (Romanucci & Blandin LLC).
National Hellenic Museum’s Trial series
Since its inception in 2013, the NHM Trial series has become a staple of the museum’s programming, even earning regional Emmy Award nominations for its unique approach to public history. The series highlights the enduring relevance and value of Greek philosophy and thought.
Among the series highlights was the trial of Helen of Troy. Was Helen of Troy, known since antiquity as “the face that launched a thousand ships” at the start of the Trojan War, guilty of adultery? It also revived the Ancient Greek trial of Hippocrates. Prosecutors tried to prove that Hippocrates was guilty of violating his oath when administering medical care to the dying king of the Ancient Greek city of Thebes.
The NHM also has recreated the trial of Socrates, which took place in 399 BC during the tumultuous period following the defeat of Athens by Sparta in the Peloponnesian War.
The trial of Odysseus is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Harris Theater (205 E. Randolph Street), with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50, with discounted pricing for students and educators.
As modern audiences grapple with the complexities of justice and power, the museum hopes this ancient trial will spark a lively and perhaps contentious discussion on the nature of heroism itself. For tickets and further information, visit nationalhellenicmuseum.org/trial2026.
Related: Socrates Found Not Guilty in NHM Mock Trial
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