Circes Island

they found a well worn tracks left by wagons, they came a across a strong girl outside the town fetching water, she was daughter of Antiphates, the Laestrygonian chief.  They asked her where their leader was and she pointed a high roof.Men went to his palace; they came across Amphites wife whose looks appalled the men. She called for her husband; he pounced on one of the men, because he wanted to eat him. The men escaped and ran back to the ships. Amphates let out a cry and lots of Laestrygonians came running out of the town, they stood on the cliffs and started to pelt the ships with rocks. The rocks killed men and broke the ships. The Laestrygonians carried the men off like fish on spears. Odysseus took out his sword and ordered men to start rowing, they escaped.Next came to the island of Aeaea, home of Circe, like goddess. They took refuge on Aeaea’s beaches for 2 days. On the third day Odysseus went inland and saw smoke rising, he was looking for civilisation.A god sent a stag down from the woods across Odysseus path to drink water because it was so hot. Odysseus struck him on its spine half way down his back. Then using creepers from the undergrowth made a rope and tied its legs together. Odysseus then took his spear and using a staff made his way back to the ships, and feasted on the carcass. Odysseus and his men split into two parties one Odysseus was head off and the second Eurylochus. They drew a lot, and Eurylochus and his 22 men went off.In the clearing they came across Circe’s island which was made of polished stone, prowling the palace was wolves and lions that had had Circe’s magic drugs, but they did not attack the men.They could hear Circe’s voice within, Polites then said either a women or a Goddess, so they should call for her.They called for her and she came at once. They all went inside her palace except for Eurylochus .They all sat down and Circe served them a mixture of cheese, barley, honey, Pramnian and a drug, to make them loose all memory of native land. After they ate it they were pigs but with brains of human, she then locked them in a pigsty.Eurylochus went back to Odysseus and told them how the men had disappeared. So Odysseus took his sword and went off to Circe’s house (Eurylochus didn’t want to go back he was too scared).On his way he met Hermes, he gave Odysseus a drug that made his immune to evil. He told Odysseus that when Circe strikes him with her stick he must draw his sword and ask her to bed. He then warned Odysseus that he must not refuse Circe or she will strip him off his manhood and courageHermes then got an herb from the ground; it was a black root and a milk white flower, also known as molly.Odysseus once outside Circe’s palace called for Odysseus, she then like his men gave him the drug concoction and once he had finished, struck him with the stick. Odysseus then drew his sword like he was going to kill her and her then clasped his knees and began to cry.Circe demanded to know who he was, where he was from and who his parents were because no man had resisted her magic. But she was sure it must be Odysseus because Hermes had warned her .She invited him to bed.Odysseus was weary because he did not want to loose his manhood, so he made her sear to an oath. He then went to her bed. Circe washed Odysseus, rubbed him with olive oil and then maids brought him food. But he did not eat because he wanted to see his men.Circe then went out and brought the pigs to the hall. She then smeared then with ointment and they turned into the men again. I went to fetch my other men from the beach, and store the ship and their possessions in a cave. Eurylochus was apprehensions again and reminded Odysseus of the Cyclopes cave. Odysseus got angry and nearly drew his sword but then decided to leave him to guard the ship however in the end he came with them Circe meanwhile had bathed all of Odysseus men and rubbed them in Olive oil and gave them tunics and cloaks. They all went to eat where greeted with their old comrades. They stayed their for a year until one day men asked Odysseus if could leave so they could get back to Ithaca. After meal Odysseus went to Circe bed and told her how men wanted to go home. However she said he must go to hell to consult soul of Teiresias the blind Theban prophet (Persephone allowed to keep his wisdom).Odysseus disheartened, asked Circe how he would get their because no one had ever been heir before. She told him the way and when he reached West of river Styx, he must dig a trench as wide as a mans forearm and pour offerings to all the dead first mixture of honey and milk, then sweet wine and then water. Then must sprinkle barley over it and pray that when you reach Ithaca you will sacrifice a barren heifer , and make Teiresias a separate offering of jet black sheep. After finished must sacrifice a ram and a black ewe. Then dead will come up, order your men flay sheep and sacrifice to Gods. Sit still with sword (with slaughtered blood on); do not let any ghosts near blood until you have questioned the prophet.The prophet will tell Odysseus his route home, and how he will get home. Then in morning Circe dressed Odysseus he then went and woke up all his men to tell them, they were going to leave.Elpenor had gotten drunk and wanted fresh air so fell asleep on the roof. He forgot he was on the roof and walked of it and died. Circe got everything ready for them and all they needed. They were very disappointed that they had to go to hell.