Final answer:
Athena and the sea goddess Leukothea aided Odysseus in returning to Ithaca to confront the aggressive suitors threatening him.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individual who helped Odysseus reach Ithaca and face the danger posed by the aggressive suitors of his wife, Penelope, was the goddess Athena. In The Odyssey, Athena assists Odysseus in various forms, particularly by disguising him upon his return, giving him crucial advice, and supporting him in the eventual defeat of the suitors. Another mythical figure that played a part in Odysseus's homeward journey was the sea goddess Leukothea, who gave him a miraculous veil to keep him safe from drowning after his ship was wrecked by Poseidon's wrath, reflecting the tradition where initiates bind fillets below their abdomens for protection.
The person who helped Odysseus get back to Ithaca, where he faced the danger of aggressive suitors threatening his wife, was Athena, the goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology.
Throughout his journey, Odysseus received assistance from various gods and goddesses, including Athena. She often appeared in disguise and guided him in different situations. In the case of returning to Ithaca, Athena disguised Odysseus as an old beggar and helped him devise a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his kingdom.
For example, in Homer's Odyssey, Athena advises Odysseus to seek help from the swineherd Eumaeus and his son Telemachus. With Athena's guidance, Odysseus successfully eliminates the suitors upon his return and reunites with his faithful wife, Penelope.