Ithaca
Odysseus' island kingdom and the destination of the entire homecoming.
Overview
Ithaca is Odysseus' island kingdom and the home toward which every wandering episode points. It repeatedly comes within sight and is lost again, making it both a geographical destination and a choice for finite mortal life: Odysseus prefers the rugged island to Calypso's immortality. Arrival does not reduce it to a passive backdrop. Farm, harbour, palace, olive tree and marriage bed form a system of identity signs through which homecoming must restore political rule, family bonds and private memory together.
Key facts
Visible but not reached
Aeolus' bag brings the ship within sight of Ithaca until the crew opens it and the storm drives the nearly completed return away.
Further spoiler details are available in the interactive atlas.
Relationships
- Odysseusrules
Odysseus is king of Ithaca.
Story appearances
- The Odyssey HomecomingDestination and political home
Ithaca is more than a destination: marriage, kingship, family and memory must all be restored there.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.