Odysseus was one of the great Greek heroes of the Trojan War. The Trojan Horse, the greatest trick in history, had won the war for the Greeks after ten long years. Odysseus went home after the war, but getting there wasn’t so easy: he had a number of adventures along the way, including a run-in with the monstrous Cyclops Polyphemus and a deadly encounter with the Sirens. One of his greatest adventures was his meeting with the sorceress Circe, which he only survived due to the help of Hermes, the messenger God.
The Island
Not long after his adventure with the Cyclops, Odysseus and his men landed on the Island of Aeaea, where they rested for a while on the shore and feasted on a mighty stag hunted by Odysseus. Odysseus climbed a hill and saw that most of the island was wooded, but that there was smoke coming from somewhere deep within the forest. He decided to investigate, dividing his men between himself and his lieutenant Eurylochus. They drew lots out of a helmet: Eurylochus and his squad would go, although they feared to, remembering what had happened on the Island of the Cyclops.
Eurylochus and Circe
Eurylochus and his men found a stately mansion in a clearing in the woods, and were astounded to see a number of beasts including wolves and lions that did not attack but rather approached them in a friendly way. One of the Greeks, Polites, called out and beautiful Circe came out of the house, welcoming them. Only Eurylochus, sensing a trap, remained hidden outside. Circe feed the Greeks rich food and wine, which was drugged to make them forget their homes. Then she struck them with her wand, changing them into pigs. Eurylochus returned and told Odysseus what had happened.
Odysseus and Hermes
Odysseus went alone to confront Circe. Along the way, the divine Messenger God Hermes stopped him and told him that if he continued, Circe would surely enslave him as well. He gave Odysseus a dose of a holy herb called moly which would protect him from her magic. He warned Odysseus that even without her powers, she could be treacherous: he told him that once she tried her magic on him and it failed, he had to threaten her with his sword and make her promise not to trick or enchant him.
Odysseus and Circe
Odysseus went to Circe’s house and greeted her: she invited him in and gave him the same drugged wine. But when she struck him with her wand, the moly defeated her magic and Odysseus was unaffected. He drew his sword and came at her, but she threw herself on the ground and begged for mercy, promising to attempt no more tricks. Odysseus demanded she change his men back and she did so.
Allies
After this incident, Circe became a useful ally for Odysseus. He stayed there for some time as her lover and his men feasted and rested. Before he departed, she warned him about the dangers he would face at sea, including the treacherous sirens and monstrous Scylla and Charybdis.
Source: Hendricks, Rhoda A. Classical Gods and Heroes. New York: Morrow Quill Paperbacks, 1974.
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