1. Ismarus, home of the Cicones.

They sacked the city, killed the men, and took the women and treasure for themselves. The following morning they were forced back to their ships when attacked by neighboring Cicones. 2. The land of the Lotus-Eaters. Here Odysseus' men ate of the lotus plant, which intoxicated them and caused them to lose their desire to return home. Odysseus had to force his men to return to their ships. 3. The island of the Cyclopes. Before escaping the cave of Polyphemus by blinding him and sneaking out on the underbellies of his sheep, the cyclops ate six of Odysseus' men. 4. Aeolia, home of Aeolus. Aeolus extended his hospitality to Odysseus and his men for a month. Upon leaving, Aeolus gave Odysseus a bag containing all the winds, instructing Odysseus not to open the bag. His men open the bag while he is sleeping, fierce winds escape, and they are blown back to Aeolia just as they are within sight of Ithaca. ~They return to Aeolia. This time Aeolus is not nearly so hospitable. In fact, he tells Odysseus to leave his island because he must be cursed by the gods. 5. Telepylus, home of the Laestrygonians. The Laestrygonians were giant cannibals and begin eating Odysseus men and destroying their ships. By the time they were able to escape, only Odysseus' ship remained unscathed. 6. Aeaea, home of Circe. Circe turns Odysseus' men to pigs. She releases them only when Odysseus has slept with her and he asks her to release his men, for the goddess had fallen in love with Odysseus. They stay with Circe for a year before they decide they must leave. Before leaving, Circe tells Odysseus he must first travel to the Underworld and consult Tiresias. 7. The Underworld. Here Odysseus meets the shades of family, fallen comrades and friends, and consults Tiresias, the blind prophet. Tiresias tells Odysseus of how he might return to Ithaca, warning him against harming the cattle of Helios, and informing him of the troubles that await him in Ithaca with Penelope's suitors. ~ They returned to Aeaea to bury the body of Elpenor (whom Odysseus had learned had fallen off of Circe's roof and died, when he met his shade in Hades), and Circe advises Odysseus on how to safely pass the Sirens, and then Scylla and Charybdis. 8. The Sirens. Odysseus orders his men to fill their ears with wax (so they're not lured to their deaths by the enchanting song of the Sirens) and tie him to the mast of his ship. They manage to sail by the Sirens safely.

9. Scylla and Charybdis. Odysseus had been advised by Circe that it would safer to sail closer to Scylla, a six-headed sea monster, and only risk six of his men (to each of her six heads) than to Charybdis, a whirlpool, and risk all of his men. Scylla sweeps up six of Odysseus men and devours them, and they sail on. 10. Thrinacia, home of the sacred cattle of Helios. Odysseus wanted to avoid the island altogether, but his men beg him to stop because they're tired and hungry. Odysseus gives in, but not before demanding that each of his men swear an oath to him that they would not touch the cattle. Here they stayed for a month because unfavorable winds prevented them from setting sail. Eventually, once their food supply is depeleted, they begin to kill and eat the cattle. Helios went straight to Zeus, demanding vengeance. Zeus agrees, and once they are able to set sail again, he stirs up a great storm. He struck the ship with a lightning bolt, destroying the ship and causing all but Odysseus to drown. ~Odysseus, while clinging to a piece of wood from his ship, floated pass Scylla and Charybdis once again. He manages to survive by hanging from the branch of a fig tree. 11. Ogygia, home of Calypso. Odysseus eventually washes ashore on Ogygia, where he is kept captive of Calypso for 7 years. It is not until Athena asked Zeus for Odysseus to be released, that Calypso allows him to go on his way. Calypso gives him the supplies to build a raft, and provides him with wine, water and food. Poseidon, still angry that Odysseus had blinded his son, Polyphemus, destroyed Odysseus' raft. 12. Scheria, home of the Phaeacians. Without a raft and nearly drowning until saved by Ino/Leucothea, Odysseus washes ashore on Scheria, where he is found by the daughter of the king. He makes his way to the palace, where he is welcomed and befriended by King Alcinous and Queen Arete, and they ask him to tell his story. He tells of his long journey home, and they agree to help him reach Ithaca by providing him use of one of their swiftest ships. 13. Ithaca. After 20 long years--10 spent fighting in Troy, another 10 spent trying to reach home-Odysseus finally reaches his Ithaca. Only to find that his house has been occupied by suitors vying for the hand of his wife and plotting to kill his son.