Book XII of twenty-four · The Wanderings Told

The Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis

Sacred oxen slain, voyage doomed

Circè warns Odysseus of the Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis, and the forbidden cattle of Helios before he sails on. His crew survives the Sirens’ song and Scylla’s ambush, but starvation on Thrinacia drives them to slaughter Helios’ sacred oxen. Zeus destroys their ship in punishment, drowning every man except Odysseus, who drifts alone to Calypso’s island.

Argument, 1871 Return of Odysseus to the island of Circe —Her counsels respecting his homeward voyage —The sirens —Escape from Scylla and Charybdis —His arrival at Thrinacia —Slaughter of the oxen of Helios by his companions —A tempest, in consequence, by which his companions all perish, and he only escapes by swimming to the island of Calypso.

Episodes of Book XII

1. Circè’s Counsel — Odysseus buries Elpenor, Circè warns
   • Funeral and Return
   • Circè’s Farewell Feast
   • Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis
   • Circè’s Final Warnings
2. Past the Sirens — Wax and rope let Odysseus pass Sirens
   • Setting Sail Again
   • Bound Against the Mast
3. Through Scylla’s Strait — Crew braves Scylla and Charybdis
   • Nearing the Strait
   • Scylla Seizes Six
4. Cattle of Helios — Starving crew kills Helios’ oxen
   • Sighting Thrinacia
   • Eurylochus’s Revolt
   • Trapped by Storm
   • Slaughter of the Oxen
   • Helios’ Wrath
5. Shipwreck and Survival — Bolt sinks ship, Odysseus survives
   • The Fatal Tempest
   • Adrift to Calypso