Theory of H. H. & A. Wolf 1968 (Mapped)


Move cursor over route lines to identify crucial points.

1. From Troy Odysseus raids the Ciconians. From there he is driven past Cape Malea by a north wind (9.80-81) past Cythera.
2. Lotus Eaters = Djerba (Herodotus 4.177).
3. Cyclopes = Tunisian coast opposite Kerkennah (island off coast). Some earlier theories held the same view. This is reasonable, given the Bronze Age preference for sailing within sight of land.
4. Aeolus = Malta. A west wind carries Odysseus' ship toward mainland Greece until his men release the bag of winds that blow them back to Aeolus. [Lipari is problematical because a voyage to the Greek mainland with a west wind without going through the straits at Messina is impossible.]

5. Laestrygonians = Trapani-Erice.
6. Circe (Aeaea) = Ustica
7. Realm of the Dead = Himera on the north coast of Sicily. A north wind directs the ship.
8. Sirens = Punta del Faro (lighthouse island near the entrance to straits of Messina)
9. Scylla and Charybdis = Straits of Messina
10. Helios’ cattle (Thrinacia) = harbor of Messina (a peninsula)
11. Calypso (Ogygia) = one of the Lipari islands, perhaps Stromboli
12. Phaeacians (Scheria) = Calabria between the gulf of Santa Eufemia and the gulf of Squillace (narrowest point on the toe of Italy; Odysseus arrives on one side of Scheria and leaves from the opposite side.)

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Troy Ciconians Cape Malea & Cythera Lotus Eaters = Djerba Cyclopes = Tunisian coast opposite Kerkennah (island off coast). Aeolus = Malta Laestrygonians = Trapani, Erice Circe (Aeaea) = Ustica Realm of the Dead = Himera on the north coast of Sicily Sirens = Punta del Faro (lighthouse island near the entrance to straits of Messina) Scylla and Charybdis = Straits of Messina; Helios’ cattle (Thrinacia) = harbor of Messina (a peninsula) Phaeacians (Scheria) = Calabria between the gulf of Santa Eufemia and the gulf of Squillace (narrowest point on the toe of Italy; Od. arrives on one side of Scheria and leaves from the opposite side.) Within sight of Ithaca, Odysseus ship is blown back to Aeolus. Ithaca