Theory of H. H. & A. Wolf 1968 (Mapped) Move cursor over route lines to identify crucial points. |
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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.)