Maping The Odyssey Project - Lauren Robinson

Trojan War Description

1194 BCE

The Trojan War was a conflict in Greek mythology that took place around the 12th or 13th century BC, pursued by the Achaeans against the city of Troy after Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband Menelaus, king of Sparta.

Trojan War Analysis

1194 BCE

The Trojan War, mixing history with mythology, fascinates the imagination with its complicated characters, epic battles, and saddening themes. Its influence on ancient literature, culture, and the following generations highlights its ongoing legacy as a basis of Western society.

Helios’ Cattle Description

900 BCE

In Greek mythology, the Cattle of Helios are immortal cattle fed on the island of Thrinacia, guarded by Helios's daughters, and their wounds bring the anger of the god of the Sun. Helios is described as having seven cows and seven sheep, each containing fifty animals. In "The Odyssey," Odysseus and his crew are warned by Tiresias and Circe to avoid the island of Thrinacia. The crew surrenders to temptation and slaughters some of Helios's prized cows while Odysseus is away.

Helios' Cattle Analysis

900 BCE

This myth acts as a warning about the importance of respecting the godly and the potential consequences in the face of powerful people.​ The story of Helios's cattle displays key themes in Greek mythology, including the relationship between humans and gods, the importance of obedience, and the certainty of justice.

Lotus Eaters Description

800 BCE

In Greek mythology, the lotus-eaters were a race of people living on an island dominated by the lotus tree. The tree's fruits and flowers were hypnotic, causing residents to forget their homes and family members. Odysseus and his crew encounter them after being off route during their journey home from the Trojan War. The lotus plant becomes their food source, leading to memory loss and wanting to remain on the island, leaving their quest to return to Ithaca.

Lotus Eaters Analysis

800 BCE

The "Lotus Eaters" in the Odyssey, reveals elements related to forgetfulness and the consequences of abandoning a life empty of responsibilities. The island represents a place of comfort and relaxation, where the harsh facts of life are forgotten. The lotus serves as an effective symbol of forgetfulness. Those who consume it lose all reason to return home and instead wish to stay in their state of happiness. This reflects a broader comment on the dangers of luxury and the alluring nature.

Circe Description

755 BCE

Circe is a figure in Greek mythology known for her knowledge of potions and magic. She is often portrayed as a powerful witch who could transform men into animals. Circe lived on the island of Aeaea, where she was recognized for her magical abilities, mainly her skill in using sorcery to transform humans into animals, such as wolves or lions.

Circe Analysis

755 BCE

Circe's character merges themes of magic and transformation, making her a complicated figure within Greek mythology. Circe is mostly displayed as a sorceress with the ability to transform men into animals, a skill that reflects both her power and her impulsive nature​. Circe's character meshes with several themes overall in Greek mythology, especially those surrounding power and shifting. She works at the established societal norms, as an isolated figure away from the male-dominated world.

Sirens

750 BCE

In Greek mythology, sirens are humanlike beings with charming voices known for drawing sailors to their deaths with captivating songs, leading them to shipwrecks on rocky shores. Their charm is mainly described through Odysseus, who warned by the witch Circe, ordered his crew to plug their ears with beeswax to resist their enchanting song. The tales of Sirens fit not only as effective stories but also reflect the complexity of attraction and consequence that echo through different aspects.

Bag of Wind

735 BCE

The "Bag of Winds" is an essential part of Greek mythology, mainly associated with Aeolus, the Keeper of the Winds. The Bag of Wind symbolizes nature's power, it can provide great aid and, if not respected or understood, lead to destructive results. Therefore, the Bag of Winds is a physical object in myths that describes the themes of support and disaster that often appear in Greek mythology. It highlights the complicated relationship between society and nature ruled by gods like Aeolus.

Suitors/Home Description

725 BCE

The idea of "suitors" in Greek mythology is illustrated through the story of Penelope and her suitors during her husband's absence, Odysseus. This scenario provides a rich narrative about loyalty, craftiness, and justice within the context of ancient Greek worth. In the Odyssey, the suitors are young men from various regions who believe that Odysseus died during the Trojan War or on his return to Ithaca.

Cyclops Description

700 BCE

In Greek mythology, the Cyclopes are huge, one-eyed beasts known for their strength and craft, specifically their work on Zeus's thunderbolt. Their roles and understandings have changed across historical books, revealing deeper understandings of ancient Greece's values and beliefs.

Scylla Description and Analysis

675 BCE

Scylla and Charybdis are mythic sea monsters from Greek mythology, representing dangerous ocean threats. Scylla is often characterized as a frightening beast with twelve legs and six heads, each decorated with rows of sharp teeth. According to myths, she was originally a beautiful fairy who was transformed into a monster out of jealousy, due to the sorcery of the witch Circe. Her fearsome appearance and greedy hunger make her a significant threat to anyone who dares to steer close.

Charybdis Description and Analysis

675 BCE

Scylla and Charybdis are mythic sea monsters from Greek mythology, representing dangerous ocean threats. Charybdis, in difference, is often characterized as a hideous whirlpool that swallows and ejects water greatly daily, creating deadly currents for passing ships. She is described as the daughter of some gods, sometimes with the sea god Poseidon. Charybdis represents the unpredictable and destructive forces of nature presenting a different kind of danger for sailors.