Greek Mythology Notes
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Aeaea

place
Αἰαία
Island of the sorceress Circe

Aeaea was the mythical island home of Circe, the divine sorceress who transformed Odysseus's men into swine and became his lover for a year.

The Myth

After escaping the Laestrygonians, Odysseus landed on Aeaea. Circe, daughter of Helios, dwelt there in a stone palace surrounded by docile wolves and lions — men she had enchanted. She turned Odysseus's advance party into pigs. Protected by the herb moly given by Hermes, Odysseus resisted her magic. He stayed a year as her lover before his crew demanded they continue homeward. Circe directed him to the land of the dead to consult Tiresias.

Parents

N/A

Children

N/A

Symbols

swinewandmoly herbstone palace

Fun Fact

Ancient Romans identified Aeaea with Cape Circeo on the Italian coast — still called Monte Circeo today.