A Reading Course in Homeric Greek, Book 2

Book Six

Still angry because of Odysseus’ blinding

of his son Polyphemus, Poseidon wrecks

Odysseus’ raft as he sails near Scheria,

the island of the Phaeacians. The nymph

Leucothea and the goddess Athena save him

from the storm. Odysseus manages to swim

ashore at the mouth of a river; he supplicates

the river-god for help, the current becomes

still, and Odysseus climbs ashore. His body

swollen and exhausted, he lies down in a bed

of rushes and kisses the earth. Odysseus then

finds a sheltered spot in the woods to sleep the

night, and he buries himself in a pile of leaves.

Athena pours sleep upon his eyes.

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