Cyclopean Isles - Homer's Legend

Homer's Legend

There is an ancient tradition that the islands at one time formed part of the mainland of Sicily.

Homer has a curious story about the manner in which they became detached, towards the end of the ninth book of the Odyssey. When Odysseus visited Sicily it was inhabited by the Cyclopes, said to have had only one eye, on the forehead.

Their king, Polyphemus, was a huge giant who cornered Odysseus and some of his crew into a cave, where some were killed and eaten for supper. Fearing he may be next, Odysseus got Polyphemus drunk on wine until he fell asleep, taking advantage of the opportunity to burn out his one eye with a red-hot iron. The giant awoke in agony, but Odysseus escaped, and, from the apparent safety of his ship, began taunting and jeering. Homer (Pope's translation) says:

"These words the Cyclops' burning rage provoke:

From the tall hill he rends a pointed rock;

High o'er the billows flew the massy load,

And near the ship came thund'ring on the flood.

It almost brushed the helm, and fell before:

The whole sea shook, and refluent beat the shore."

Odysseus renewed his jeers and told him that it had been he who had burnt out his eye. Polyphemus invoked the vengeance of Poseidon upon him, and:

"A larger rock then heaving from the plain,

He whirled it round--it rung across the main:

It fell and brushed the stern: the billows roar,

Shake at the weight, and refluent beat the shore."

Coordinates: 37°33′N 15°09′E / 37.55°N 15.15°E / 37.55; 15.15