Ogygia is the mythical island where the nymph Calypso held the hero Odysseus captive for seven years in Homer’s Odyssey. The island is described as a lush, remote paradise, surrounded by the vast sea and untouched by time. Calypso, enamored with Odysseus, offered him immortality if he stayed as her consort, but he longed to return to his wife, Penelope, and his homeland. Eventually, the god Hermes, sent by Zeus, commanded Calypso to release Odysseus, allowing him to resume his journey home. The tale reflects themes of love, temptation, and the enduring pull of human connections over divine allure.
Possible Ogygia locations:
- Malta: Some believe Ogygia corresponds to Gozo, one of Malta’s islands, based on local legends and geographical clues.
- Atlantis: Others link Ogygia to Atlantis, considering its mysterious and remote nature.
- Mediterranean Locations: Various islands, from Corsica to Gavdos, have been proposed.
Further Reading
Ogygia: Sacred and Prophane Writings of the First Nations of the Globe (1793) Free Resource
Author: mountshastamyths
Lurking around here with more questions than answers