The Odyssey Journey Map

Troy

1 CE

Odysseus and his crew have helped to defeat Troy and are heading back to their homeland of Ithaca. Little did they know, they were about to partake in a perilous journey.

Ismarus, land of the Cicones

2

Odysseus's crew landed on the Ismarus, island of the Cicones and pillaged it, despite Odysseus's instructions to take only what they needed. While Odysseus's crew enjoyed themselves, the Circones's army attacked them and drove them away.

The Lotus Eaters

3

After the Island of the Cicones, Odysseus landed on the Land of the Lotus Eaters, people who eat the addictive Lotus flower, which causes them to lose all grip on reality and forget about everything. Some of Odysseus's crew ate the Lotus flower and did not want to leave the island. Odysseus had to tie them to the ship as he and his crew left the land.

The Cyclops, Polyphemus

4

Odysseus landed on an island populated by a cyclopes called Polyphemus. Odysseus and his crew went into a large cave on the island to explore, in which they found food and drink. A huge Cyclopes was angered by their presence and attacked them, but Odysseus blinded it and him and his crew were able to escape unharmed.

Aeolia, isle of Aeolus

5

Odysseus land on Aeolia, home of Aeolus, the god of wind. Aeolus bottled winds into a bag to ensure that Odysseus would have a safe journey back to Ithaca, but greed and curiosity got the better of some of his crew, and they opened the bag of winds, which sent them back to Aeolia. Aeolus sent them back in their way.

The Laestrygonians

6

The Laestrygonians were a race of cannibals. When Odysseus landed there, many of his men were devoured, which caused him to leave quickly with the remainder of his crew.

Circe

7

Odysseus and his crew landed on an island that was, unbeknownst to them, home to Circe, a powerful sorceress who transformed Odysseus's men. Odysseys defeated her, and eventually, she instructed them to go see Tiresias, a prophet located in the underworld.

The Sirens

8

After Odysseus leaves Circe's island, he sails by the Sirens, people whose singing can cause people to jump out of their ships in pursuit of the beautiful sounds. Odysseus gave beeswax to his crew and had them tie him to the ship's mast so he could hear the Siren's songs. Odysseus struggled against the rope, but his loyal crew kept him tired up until they were out of range.

Teiresias and the Underworld

9

Odysseus sails to the Underworld, seeking Tiresias. He finds him here, as Circe said. Tiresias tells Odysseus to sail towards Scylla and Charybdis, but to take the route of Scylla, because less of the crew would be lost.

Scylla and Charybdis

10

As Tiresias suggested, Odysseus sailed to Scylla. When he arrived, he saw a dangerous whirlpool and a cave, from which Scylla emerged. Scylla ate six of Odysseus's crew members, but the rest were safe, so Odysseus sailed away.

Thrinacia, isle of Helios, the sun god

11

Next, Odysseus landed in Thrinacia, island of Helios the sun god's cattle. When they landed, Odysseus instructed his crew not to kill or take any of the cattle, for they belonged to the sun god. However, hunger overcame the crew and they killed and ate some of the cattle. Helios is enraged by this action of disrespect and Zeus punished the crew by killing them all expect for Odysseus, because he was not responsible, so Odysseus was left drifting on the wreckage of his ship.

Calypso

12

Odysseus eventually drifted to the home of Calypso, who tried to seduce Odysseus. She kept him there for several years until Zeus forced her to free Odysseus. She gave Odysseus a raft and he drifted away.

Phaeacia

13

As Odysseus journeyed home on the small raft Calypso had given him, Poseidon, still angry at him for blinding Polyphemus the Cyclops, his son, destroyed Odysseus's raft. Odysseus eventually washed up on shore of Phaeacia, where he was helped to the palace, and King Alcinous heard his story. Alcinous then gave Odysseus ships and a safe passage home.

Ithaca

14

Odysseus finally arrived at home disguised as a beggar and revealed his identity to his son, so they could reclaim the throne form the suitors vying for his wife, the queen's, hand in marriage. He devised a cunning plot, and with Athena and Zeus on his side, reclaimed his throne.