The Legend Of Ulysses And Calypso.

Photo by Zefram, distributed under a CC license.

I am sure many heard of Homer’s classic ‘The Odyssey’. The story starts right after the Trojan War was over and recounts the struggle of the heroic Greek warrior called Ulysses had to go through before managing to return home to his family and retake the throne of Ithaca.

While he was at sea on his way home Ulysses and his crew were caught in a storm which eventually led them to be shipwrecked on the shores of the island of Ogygia. (From what one could make out this mythical place would seem to be today’s island of Gozo which is located right underneat sicily and part of the maltese islands.)

This is where he encountered the queen goddess Calypso,daughter of the god Altas Atlas (God of Endurance and Astronomy). She invited him inside a cave and was provided with food and wine.

Ulysses expressed his desire to return home however Calypso paid no attention to his request and instead spoke at length about herself and the island she ruled and promised him the kingship of the island as well as eternal youth and happiness as long as he stayed. Due to Calypso’s denial of providing Ulysses with a new ship he ended up what one would call a prisoner of love. This lasted for seven years with Ulysses praying to the Gods for deliverance.

Eventually the day finally arrived when Zeus himself dispatched his messenger Hermes and forced Calypso to release him. She had no choice but to comply and reluctantly gave him permission to set sail on a new ship loaded with presents for himself and his family.

To this day tourists still visit this mythical cave where this legendary encounter occured.