Book IX · Episode 1 of 5
From Troy to the Lotus-eaters
Odysseus raids Ismarus, storm, lotus
Scenes
- Odysseus begins his tale — Odysseus names himself, begins tale
- Praises feasting with a bard’s song
- Declares himself king of rugged Ithaca
- Notes Calypso and Circè both wanted him
- Insists nothing surpasses home and kin
- Turns to the voyage Zeus decreed
- Raid on the Ciconians — Ciconians rally, rout the crew
- Sacks Ismarus, killing Ciconian men
- Divides plundered wives and wealth among crew
- Urges swift departure but crew feasts instead
- Ciconians summon mounted reinforcements
- Six men lost from every ship
- Storm and the Lotus-eaters — Blown to Lotus-eaters, scouts drugged
- Storm sweeps fleet past Cape Maleia
- Nine days adrift before reaching shore
- Sends two men and a herald ashore
- Lotus flower erases wish for home
- Drags weeping scouts back, binds them