Book X of twenty-four · The Wanderings Told

Aeolus, the Laestrigonians, and Circè

Fleet lost, Circè enchants survivors

Odysseus recounts disasters after Troy: Aeolus’s winds are squandered by his crew, and Laestrigonian giants destroy most of the fleet. On Circè’s isle she turns half his men to swine, but moly from a god lets Odysseus free them and win a year of feasting there. Before sailing home, Circè says he must first consult the dead seer Tiresias; the crew departs mourning Elpenor’s fatal fall.

Argument, 1871 Arrival of Odysseus at the land of Aeolus, who gives him the winds in a bag —Folly of the seamen, who untie the bag while Odysseus is asleep —A tempest —Disastrous encounter with the gigantic laestrigons —Arrival at the island of Circe —Transformation of the Greeks to swine, and recovery of their former shape —Preparations for a journey to the region of the dead.

Episodes of Book X

1. Aeolus and the Laestrigonians — Winds wasted, Laestrigonians wreck fleet
   • Aeolus’s Gift of Winds
   • Crew Opens the Bag
   • Return to Aeolus
   • Aeolus’s Refusal
   • Laestrigonian Harbor
   • Massacre of the Fleet
2. Landfall at Aeaea — Crew lands at Aeaea, feasts on stag
   • Landing at Aeaea
   • A Feast on the Shore
   • Smoke in the Woods
   • Drawing Lots
3. Circè Turns Men to Swine — Circè bewitches half the crew
   • Circè’s Enchanted Halls
   • Turned to Swine
   • Eurylochus’s Report
   • Odysseus Vows to Go
4. Moly Breaks the Spell — Moly lets Odysseus break the spell
   • Hermes and the Moly
   • The Charm Fails
   • The Goddess’s Oath
   • Odysseus Holds Out
   • Reunion at the Ship
5. A Year at Circè’s Table — A year of feasting ends in departure
   • Eurylochus Balks Again
   • Welcomed by Circè
   • A Year of Feasting
6. Bound for the Underworld — Circè sends Odysseus to consult dead
   • The Underworld Errand
   • Circè’s Instructions
   • Elpenor’s Fall
   • Departure for Erebus