Athena persuades Penelope to test the Suitors by having an archery competition with Odysseus' bow. Odysseus is the only one who strings the bow and shoots it. He then shoots Antinous. A massacre of the suitors follows with the help of Athena, Telemachus, Eumaeus and Philoetius (cowherd). They hang 12 maids who slept with the suitors. They kill Melanthius, who mocked Odysseus. Odysseus reveals himself to Penelope, who recognizes him after he tells her of how he made their bed from an olive tree. Odysseus and Telemachus visit Laertes, Odysseus' father, who only recognizes him when Odysseus describes the orchard Laertes gave him. Ithaca is at peace again.