<P> Telemachus (/ təˈlɛməkəs / tə - LEM - ə - kəs; Greek: Τηλέμαχος, Tēlemakhos, literally "far - fighter") is a figure in Greek mythology, the son of Odysseus and Penelope, and a central character in Homer's Odyssey . The first four books of the Odyssey focus on Telemachus's journeys in search of news about his father, who has yet to return home from the Trojan War, and are traditionally given the title the Telemachy . </P> <P> Telemachus's name in Greek means "far from battle", or perhaps "fighting from afar", as a bowman does . </P> <P> In Homer's Odyssey, Telemachus, under the instructions of Athena, spends the first four books trying to gain knowledge of his father, Odysseus, who left for Troy when Telemachus was still an infant . At the outset of Telemachus' journey, Odysseus had been absent from his home at Ithaca for twenty years due to the Trojan War and the intervention of Poseidon . During his absence, Odysseus' house has been occupied by hordes of suitors seeking the hand of Penelope . Telemachus first visits Nestor and is well received by the old man who regales him with stories of his father's glory . Telemachus then departs with Nestor's son Peisistratus, who accompanies him to the halls of Menelaus and his wife Helen . Whilst there, Telemachus is again treated as an honored guest as Menelaus and Helen tell complementary yet contradictory stories of his father's exploits at Troy . </P> <P> Telemachus focuses on his father's return to Ithaca in Book XV . He visits Eumaeus, the swineherd, who happens to be hosting a disguised Odysseus . After Odysseus reveals himself to Telemachus due to Athena's advice, the two men plan the downfall of the suitors . Telemachus then returns to the palace to keep an eye on the suitors and to await his father as the beggar . </P>

How old is telemachus at the start of the odyssey