AEAEA – A MYTHICAL ISLAND

Aeaea was
a mythical island in Greek mythology, which was considered to be the place
where the witch Circe lived.
In this island, Odysseus stayed
for a year while trying to get back to his homeland, Ithaca.
It is not clear as to where the island was located geographically. Homer was
inconsistent when he described Odysseus‘
adventures. Some scholars propose that it was located in the east, somewhere close
to King Aeetes‘
land, Colchis,
mainly because Circe was Aeetes‘
sister, but also because the palace of the goddess Eos (dawn)
was on the island. Others suggest that it was located somewhere off the western
coast of Italy.

Although
originally Circe transformed Odysseus‘
men into pigs, Odysseus managed
to overcome the witch’s magic. He and his men stayed on the island for a year
feasting, and Odysseus fathered
a child with Circe, Telegonus.
When he decided to leave, Circe gave
him directions on how to return to Ithaca.
Years later, after Odysseus had
returned home, Telegonus went
to Ithaca to
find him, but mistakenly killed him. Telegonus then
took Odysseus‘
wife, Penelope,
and son, Telemachus,
to Aeaea,
where Circe made
them immortal.