The Real Locations of Odysseus’ Journey in Homer’s Odyssey

In Homer’s Odyssey, the main character Odysseus embarks on a journey to various destinations as he endeavors to return home following the Trojan War. There are lots of different theories about the places that he visited. However, scholarly research in recent decades has revealed a lot about where the places visited by Odysseus were.

Odysseus in the Aegean

The first few places that Odysseus visited were in the Aegean. This is because his starting location was Troy, in northwest Anatolia, and his destination was Ithaca, on the western side of Greece. Thus, the first part of Odysseus’ journey took him across the Aegean.

Homer’s narrative makes it clear that Odysseus took a northerly route across the Aegean, rather than the southerly route used by Menelaus. Partway along his journey, he raided the Cicones on the southern shore of Thrace, at Mount Ismara. After this fairly unsuccessful raid, Odysseus continued on his journey through the Aegean.

Odysseus followed the coast of the Aegean Sea fairly closely until it became more practical to head directly south, past the island of Euboea and the territory of Attica. He continued heading south towards the southernmost part of Greece, the Gulf of Laconia.

Libya and Crete

A strong wind blew Odysseus’ ships off course for nine days, pushing them to the south. As historian Tim Severin pointed out, they would almost certainly have ended up on the coast of Libya directly south of Greece. This would put them in the territory which later became Cyrene.

This was the Land of the Lotus-Eaters. After an adventure here, Odysseus and his men continued on their journey home. Their attempt to return to Greece would have taken them to the southwestern corner of Crete. The Paleochora peninsula was once distinct from the mainland, aligning with the Odyssey’s depiction of Odysseus reaching a small island adjacent to a larger one.

After the adventure with Polyphemus, Odysseus continued his journey northwards towards Greece. Historian Tim Severin convincingly identified the small island of Gramvousa off northwest Crete with the Island of Aeolus. Here, Odysseus waited for the right moment to continue his journey home.

This island is encircled by striking sheer cliffs that reflect a reddish-bronze hue at sunset, creating the illusion of towering bronze walls. The ancient name for the island was ‘Korykos’, meaning ‘leather bag’. Notably, it was on the Isle of Aeolus where Odysseus used a magical leather bag.

The harbour of Mezapos

Homer goes on to describe how Odysseus then attempted to sail to Ithaca but strong winds pushed him back before he could reach it. On his second attempt, he would likely have been more careful, hugging the coast of Greece. Eventually, he reached the Land of the Laestrygonians.

The unique circular harbor with a narrow entrance matches the harbor of Mezapos on the outside of the western headland of the Gulf of Laconia. The entrance is narrow enough for men on either side with long spears to kill those trying to escape. Furthermore, the entire harbor is large enough for nine ships, but not excessively large.

The harbor’s small size prevents Odysseus’ men from escaping the attacks of those standing high on the surrounding cliff face. All of this matches perfectly the harbour of Mezapos.

Paxos and the River Acheron

Odysseus flees afterward, having fortunately docked his ship outside the harbor rather than inside. Homer does not explain the circumstances surrounding how he arrived at his next location. Nevertheless, it is only at the next location, Circe’s island, that Odysseus expresses feeling lost.

What likely occurred is that the strong Sirocco wind blew Odysseus up through the Ionian Sea. This strong wind often continues unabated for days and brings dust and fog with it. The reason for this conclusion is that Odysseus’ next location is north of Ithaca rather than south.

The River Acheron is on the mainland across from Circe’s island. This river is in Epirus, western Greece. The island just across from it, within sight of the mainland, is Paxos. Interestingly, there is evidence that this was associated with the nature god Pan. This is consistent with the fact that this was the island of Circe, a nature goddess.

Odysseus then traveled across to the River Acheron on the mainland. There, he descended into the underworld and then returned.

Antipaxos and Lefkada

Odysseus proceeded with his voyage to Ithaca after departing from the island of Circe.
This is southeast of Paxos. On that route, directly southeast of Paxos is the small island of Antipaxos. Therefore, this means that this must have been the small island of the sirens that appears in this part of the Odyssey.

After passing that island, Odysseus next arrived at a spot where he had two choices. One route would take him past the dangerous Wandering Rocks, while the other route would take him down a narrow channel with dangers on both sides.

On one side, there was Scylla, the serpentine monster, while on the other side, there was Charybdis, the sea monster that swallowed things like a whirlpool.

When traveling from Antipaxos to Ithaca, one must pass the island of Lefkada. The Sesola is a rock formation in the sea just off the western side, resembling two rocks fused. On the other hand, there was formerly a narrow channel between Lefkada and the mainland.

There is reason to believe that a whirlpool was likely present in this channel before it was blocked off to the north. Regarding Scylla, it is highly significant that the mainland just north of this former channel has a spot called Cape Scylla.

Meganisi Island

Homer presents Odysseus as continuing south to get to Ithaca. He reaches the island of Helios, the sun god. The name of the island is Thrinacia, which means ‘trident’. Interestingly, just south of Lefkada is the island of Meganisi, which looks just like a trident, albeit curved.

Helios had his sacred cattle on the island of Thrinacia. Notably, Hecataeus of Miletus placed the land of Erytheia in the part of Greece immediately adjacent to Meganisi, and other Greek myths place Helios’ cattle in Erytheia.

Therefore, the evidence strongly indicates that Meganisi was the island of Thrinacia.

Malta

After a disastrous attempt to get back to Ithaca from Thrinacia, Odysseus loses all his men and is carried extremely far away. He arrives at the island of Ogygia, the home of the nymph Calypso.

Commentators have traditionally understood this island to be Gozo, just next to Malta. Whether this is accurate or not is difficult to say. However, it does seem to match the distances described by Homer. Furthermore, there is a surface-level current which would take one from Lefkada to relatively near Gozo.

Since Odysseus was adrift in the sea for many days before arriving at Ogygia, this is arguably consistent with this identification.

Corfu

After being trapped on the island of Ogygia for many years, Odysseus builds a boat and sails for seventeen days to try to return home to Ithaca. However, he arrives at the mysterious island of Scheria.

The traditional identification of this island is Corfu. As in the previous instance, this is likely correct. The ancient Greeks accepted this identification without question at least as early as the time of Thucydides.

As Homer describes the people of Scheria as knowing Odysseus, it is logical to infer that it is not too far from Ithaca. Yet, it cannot have been a part of Odysseus’ kingdom, since he is a “stranger” there. Thus, Corfu is a perfectly logical location, consistent with the facts.

From there, Odysseus swiftly returned to Ithaca with the help of the Phaeacians, the people of Scheria.