Welcome

This travel brochure includes all of the places (and things) Odysseus ran into on his journey home to Ithaca. Each post includes a description of what Odysseus did during his time there, along with a picture of someone he met, or the place itself.
Not every spot is for everyone. Some people may enjoy the tranquil serenity of the Island of the Lotus Eaters or the soothing tunes of the Sirens, while others may enjoy spending time with Polyphemus or the excitement of dodging boulders being thrown at them by the Laestrygonians.
Either way, there is a perfect travel spot for everyone. Find yours now!

Troy

Troy is where the war between the Trojans and the Greeks took place for 10 years. It finally ended once Odysseus came up with a plan to build a wooden horse that he and his men hid in until the Greeks let it in, thinking it was an offering from the Gods. Later on the men came out of the horse and killed all of the Trojans, leaving the victory to the Greeks. Troy is located in what is now known as Turkey, next to Mount Ida. 

Island of the Cicones

The Cicones were allies of Troy, but Odysseus and his men came in and plundered it. Odysseus’ men decided to kill the men and take the women. Finally the Cicones rebelled, and Odysseus left the land with six men from each ship missing. 

Island of the Lotus Eaters

The inhabitants of this island pretty much lead the life of a “pot head”. They sit around all day, eating lotus flowers, wasting away their lives and not having a care in the world about it. Odysseus and his crew were stopping off at the island just to get some water, but then a few of his crew members encountered the Lotus Eaters and tried the lotus plant. Three of his men were left behind here.

Island of the Cyclops

Odysseus and his crew came to this island and were trapped by Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon who plans on eating all of Odysseus’ men. Only a few of Odysseus’s men are eaten because of Odysseus’ quick thinking. Polyphemus is blinded by Odysseus before they escape, and then as he is leaving, Odysseus mocks Polyphemus and tells him what his actual name is. 

Island of Aeolia

While on this island, Odysseus and his men run into Aeolus, who is the keeper of the winds. Aeolus  gives Odysseus a bag of wind to help him get home. The crew of Odysseus becomes suspicious that Odysseus is hiding treasures from them, so they open up the bag on the way home and are blown all the way back to the Island of Aeolia. When asked by Odysseus for another bag of wind, Aeolus refuses to give Odysseus one. 

Island of the Laestrygonians

When the men and Odysseus come upon the shore of this island, they are greeted by a princess of the Laestrygonians. She tells them that they would like to have them for dinner, and then when the crew and Odysseus try to run away back to the boats, the Laestrygonians begin throwing boulders at them and their ships. In the end, Odysseus goes from having twelve boats, to only one, and many of his men are gone. This island is very rocky, and has large cliffs. 

Aeaea

This swampy, marsh-like island is the home of the beautiful Circe, who tricks Odysseus’ men and turns them to pigs with her wine. Hermes gives Odysseus a magical herb so Circe can’t cast a spell on Odysseus, and he is able to convince Circe to turn his men back to normal. 

Hades

This island is located at the ends of the ocean where dead people go. Odysseus is told to go here alone to talk to the prophet known as Tiresias. Odysseus is given some advice for a long and prosperous life. While in Hades, Odysseus also sees his mom, Anticleia, and finds out that she has died of grief because Odysseus was gone for so long.

Island of the Sirens

The Sirens are singing mermaids that will keep singing to you until you die. They live on an isolated island, and all over the island are the bones of sailors who weren’t able to resist the Sirens. In order to pass them, Odysseus had his men put wax in their ears, and he was tied to the mast of the boat. Once they passed the Sirens and weren’t able to hear them anymore, Odysseus was untied. 

Charybdis

The monster Charybdis is a giant mouth that sucks in water and forms a giant whirlpool. If sailors get too close to it, they lose the entire ship and aren’t able to escape.

Scylla

This monster has six heads with three rows of razor sharp teeth, along with twelve tentacles, dog heads, and a cat tail. Odysseus decided to sail closer to this monster and risk losing six men, rather than losing the whole ship. 

Thrinacia

This is the land of the Sun God. Odysseus and his men stopped here because they were tired of traveling and wanted a break. Odysseus was told by Tiresias not to eat the cows on this island, because Helios, the Sun God, is very protective of her cattle. Odysseus tells his men not to eat the cows, but they don’t listen. Once they leave the island, Zeus punishes the men by killing them in a storm, all of them except for Odysseus, who washes up on an island. 

The Island of Ogygia

This is the island that Odysseus washes up on. Calypso decides to make Odysseus her immortal husband, until finally Athena talks to Zeus about making Calypso let Odysseus go. Hermes is sent to the island, where he tells Calypso to send Odysseus home. On the island there are many trees, and a cave, along with the rock overlooking the sea that Odysseus would always sit on and cry for home.

Scheria

Odysseus is dropped off on this island by Leucothea who helps him out of a huge storm whipped up by Poseidon. Once on the shore, Odysseus climbs into an olive grove where he is found by Princess Nauticaa, the daughter of King Alcinous and Queen Arete. They let Odysseus stay with them so he can tell them his story, and then the Phaecians, the island natives, give Odysseus a magical boat to get back home.

Ithaca

This is where Odysseus’ home is. When he returns after 20 years, he changes himself to look like a beggar so no one will recognize him. At first his son thinks he is a God, but eventually realizes it’s his father. After Odysseus slays all of the men trying to get with his wife, his wife sees him and thinks he is a trick of the Gods, but then she is convinced it is Odysseus and he reclaims his title as King of Ithaca.