Circe
Enchantress of Aeaea, able to transform humans into animals.
Overview
Across Odyssey Books 10–12, Circe changes from threat to indispensable guide. Food, wine and drugs transform Odysseus' companions into swine. After Hermes supplies the herb moly, Odysseus compels her to swear against further harm and restore the men. The crew remains on Aeaea for a year, and before departure Circe requires the hero to consult Tiresias at the world's edge. After his return she explains the Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis and the cattle of Helios in sequence. Her knowledge is dangerous yet necessary, so her role cannot be reduced to either a simple enemy or a romantic interlude.
Key facts
Food, drugs and transformation
Odyssey Book 10She gives the companions drugged wine and strikes them with her wand, turning them into swine while their human awareness remains.
Interpreter of the dangerous route
After the journey to the dead, Circe warns of the Sirens and the two sea monsters and explains the taboo against the divine cattle.
Purifying Jason and Medea
After Zeus’ storm brings Argo to Aeaea, Circe performs purification for Jason and Medea over Apsyrtus’ death.
Relationships
- Heliosfather of
Circe belongs to the house of the sun god Helios.
- Odysseuslovers
After their confrontation, Odysseus remains on Aeaea for a year.
- Odysseusadvises
Circe explains the route below and the dangers that follow.
- Aeaeadwells on
Aeaea is Circe's island.
- Descent to the Underworlddirects
Circe explains that Tiresias must first be consulted.
- Jasonpurifies
Circe performs purification for Jason from the pollution of Apsyrtus’ killing.
- Medeapurifies
Circe also purifies Medea, who helped lure her brother.
Story appearances
- The Odyssey HomecomingOpponent turned navigator
Circe first transforms the crew, then explains the routes past the dead, Sirens and sea monsters.
- Gates of the UnderworldGoddess ordering a consultation of the dead and giving the route
Goddess ordering a consultation of the dead and giving the route, part of the Underworld story's crossings, losses, judgments or guarded spaces.
- The ArgonautsCirce in the Argonaut expedition
Circe enters this story through the Argonaut expedition; other versions are handled where their own episodes call for them.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.
- Homer, Odyssey, Books 1–24
- Homer, Odyssey, Book 10.487–540: Circe’s command and the route toward Acheron
- Homer, Odyssey, Book 10.541–574: Elpenor dies accidentally and unnoticed
- Homer, Odyssey, Book 11.51–89: Elpenor asks for burial and an oar marker
- Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica, Book 4.294–551: Apsyrtus pursues, is lured and killed
- Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica, Book 4.552–981: Zeus’ storm, Circe’s purification, Sirens and strait hazards
- Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica, Book 4.982–1169: Colchian reclamation and the marriage decision
- Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica, Book 4.1170–1637: Syrtes, carrying Argo and Triton’s guidance
- Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica, Book 4.1638–1781: Talos, Anaphe and return to Pagasae
- Homer, Odyssey, Book 10.133–574: Circe and directions to the dead
- Homer, Odyssey, Book 12: Sirens, sea monsters and the cattle of Helios