The main character in Homer's Odyssey, Odysseus, informs us:
Location
This gives us an indication where to look for ancient Ithaca: furthest west of the islands. The other islands are located east and south from Ithaca. It seems strange that Homer emphasizes the directions east-west, 'towards dusk, the rest face dawn', but in north-south direction only mentions 'the rest face sun'. Equally, the notation 'Ithaca itself lies low' stands out, as one of its main characteristics is the mountain Neriton.
Ithaca itself is low-lying in the sea and is the furthest towards the west.
The others lie apart, toward dawn, and the sun.
The others lie apart, toward dawn, and the sun.
Odyssey Book 9 line 24-25 Barry B Powell
Odyssey Book 9 line 19-26 James Diggle
Odyssey Book 9 line 19-26 James Diggle
Over the centuries these lines in the Odyssey have created confusion as a result of misinterpretation. Though they actually aren't confusing at all, they're rather clear and simple. So, let's take a closer look at what Odysseus says about himself and the islands. Translation by professor James Diggle:
Lines 19&20 are about who Odysseus is.
Lines 21&22 describe how to recognize Ithaca.
Lines 23&24 name the surrounding islands.
Lines 25&26 locate Ithaca in relation to them.
Lines 21&22 describe how to recognize Ithaca.
Lines 23&24 name the surrounding islands.
Lines 25&26 locate Ithaca in relation to them.
19 I am Odysseus, Laertes' son, world-famed
20 For stratagems: my name has reached the heavens.
21 Bright Ithaca is my home: it has a mountain,
22 Leaf-quivering Neriton, far visible.
23 Around are many islands, close to each other,
24 Doulichion and Same and wooded Zacynthos.
25 Ithaca itself lies low, furthest to sea
26 Towards dusk; the rest, apart, face dawn and sun.
20 For stratagems: my name has reached the heavens.
21 Bright Ithaca is my home: it has a mountain,
22 Leaf-quivering Neriton, far visible.
23 Around are many islands, close to each other,
24 Doulichion and Same and wooded Zacynthos.
25 Ithaca itself lies low, furthest to sea
26 Towards dusk; the rest, apart, face dawn and sun.
The only part that seems out of place is the phrase 'Ithaka itself lies low' in line 25, which appears to flat out contradict lines 21 & 22. Low-lying must have been a direction rather than a characteristic. Since north is the only direction not mentioned, by writing 'low-lying' Homer must have meant north.
In that case the directions north and south are given as clearly as east and west.
In that case the directions north and south are given as clearly as east and west.
The opposite of 'facing sun' is away from the sun, which in Greece and the rest of the northern hemisphere means north.