Nausicaa

Nausicaa (/nɔːˈsɪkɪə/;[1][2] Ancient Greek: Ναυσικάα, romanized: Nausikáa [nau̯sikáaː], or Ναυσικᾶ, Nausikâ, [nau̯sikâː]), also spelled Nausicaä or Nausikaa, is a character in Homer's Odyssey.

Awakened by their games, Odysseus emerges from the forest completely naked, scaring the servants away, and begs Nausicaä for aid.

Keeping him secret, she goes ahead into town, telling him to go directly to Alcinous's house and make his case to Nausicaä's mother Queen Arete, the family's matriarch.

[4] During his stay, Odysseus recounts his adventures to Alcinous and his court, a frame story for a substantial portion of the Odyssey.

Nausicaä is also a mother figure for Odysseus; she ensures his return home, and says "Never forget me, for I gave you life".

Nausicaa (second from right) with Athena and Odysseus. Detail of an Attic red-figured amphora from Vulci ( c. 440 BC )
W. Heath Robinson : Nausicaa and Her Maidens Brought Him Food and Wine (date unknown)