Aeaea

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.

See Also: Circe, Odysseus, Aeetes, Eos, Telegonus, Penelope, Telemachus