In Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus spends Books 9 through 12 telling the story of his adventures to Alcinous and Arete, the king and queen of the Phaeacians, as well as a number of Phaeacian nobles. After hearing Odysseus speak, Alcinous is extremely impressed and he suggests that all those who have just heard Odysseus speak should provide the hero with a number of valuable goods.
The various Phaeacian nobles had already prepared clothing, gold, and other gifts for Odysseus, but Alcinous is so impressed by Odysseus' story that he also suggests that each of the nobles should also provide Odysseus with "a cauldron and a large tripod" (A.S. Kline translation).
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