A lovely nymph who delayed the Odyssey for as much as seven. Odyssey. Hermes comes to Calypso

Gozo island.

In ancient times, the island of Gozo was called Ogygoi. But often it is called the island of Calypso - the nymph who delayed the mythological Odysseus for as much as 7 years. A beautiful nymph lived among magnificent nature in a cave entwined with grapes. She passionately fell in love with Odysseus and gave birth to four sons from him. And yet, at the behest of the gods, Calypso, whose name in ancient Greek means "the one that hides", was forced to let Odysseus go and even helped him build a raft, on which he continued his wanderings. The rock with Calypso Grotto is located on the northern coast of Gozo - above the Ramla L-Hamra beach, with unusual, dark red sand, on which foreign tourists like to spend a serene time. But Calypso's Grotto is not the only interesting place islands.

In the small town of Shara, you can see the Jgantija temple complex - one of the most ancient man-made structures on the planet, listed in the Guinness Book of Records. Ggantija is even older Egyptian pyramids- it is more than 6 thousand years old. The complex consists of two megalithic temples built from blocks weighing several tons and up to 6 meters in size. It is not clear who and, most importantly, how dragged these hulks and laid them on top of each other. According to legend, the mythological giantess Sansuna did this difficult task, moreover, using her head. Gozo was generally considered the island of giants by the ancient Greeks. And here, in Shara, a huge statue of a woman was found, which art historians immediately dubbed the "Maltese Venus" - you can see it in the National Museum of Archeology in Valletta.

And in the southeast of the island, not far from the town of Dueira, tourists see another local attraction - the Azure Window: two rocks with a diameter of 40 meters protruding from the sea, covered from above with a 100-meter block of stone, on which you can walk. A very beautiful romantic view opens through this natural "window": the turquoise sea, smoothly turning into the blue sky. Surely it was also built by local giants. And very close is the rock Fungus Rock, overgrown with healing moss. During the reign of the Order of the Knights of St. John of Malta, it was believed that this moss was a panacea for many diseases. He strengthened male potency and even extended life. The knights gave miracle moss only to especially honored guests, and its unauthorized collection was punishable by death. All this, as well as many other interesting things, are told to tourists by local guides.

There are several good museums in Gozo - in the Victoria Citadel, a powerful fortress built by knights to protect against raids by Turks and North African pirates. For three centuries now, the magnificent Cathedral has been standing inside the Citadel, the ceiling of which is so skillfully painted by the painter Antonio Manuel that it gives the impression of a dome, the construction of which at one time simply did not have enough funds. From the top of the hill on which the Citadel rises, you can see Sicily, which is only 90 km away. Curiosity also deserves a leisurely walk through the streets of the capital of the island, in ancient times it was called Rabat, and since the 19th century. - Victoria. In honor of the English queen. This town, in which no more than 7 thousand people live, is very green and picturesque. Gozo is generally a greener island than Malta. Apparently, because since ancient times various agricultural crops have been cultivated here. Vineyards, orange and grapefruit trees, melons, peaches, pears and watermelons grow in abundance in Malta. Right before Christmas, orange picking begins here, so tourists have the opportunity to enjoy the freshest juice filled with vitamins. Drinking it, they admire the Church of Ta Pinu (near the town of Arb) or the Temple of St. George (near the Citadel) - one of the most beautiful in the entire Maltese archipelago.

If time permits, be sure to swim on the already mentioned Ramla L-Hamra beach, in Dweira Bay, which is also called the Inland Sea (it is connected to the sea by a small tunnel), on the beaches of Xlendi and Marsalfon, from where I recommend going on a boat trip around Calypso Island. By the way, it is in these places that three discos begin to work in the evening, where local youth and foreign tourists are "drawn off", many of whom are not content with a one-day excursion, but stay here for several days. At their service are 10 hotels (of which three are five-star), 23 aparthotels and 6 boarding houses, the prices for accommodation in which are quite reasonable. There is a regular ferry service between Gozo and the island of Malta. Travel time is from 30 minutes to an hour, and the cheapest ticket for an adult costs half a lira (just over $1).

Fedor Yurin, Travel Shop

Seven years on the island of Ogygia. The land to which Odysseus nailed turned out to be an island. It was called Ogygia and belonged to a nymph named Calypso. The island was beautiful, its mistress was beautiful. Calypso lived in a grotto entwined with vines, ripe bunches of grapes themselves asked for her mouth. Four springs with crystal clean water flowed near this grotto, dense forests grew around, in which wonderful birds sang songs.

The goddess Odysseus was hospitably greeted; she gave him rich clothes, fed and watered him to the fullest. She liked the wanderer so much that she offered Calypso Odysseus to become her husband, promised immortality and eternal youth. Odysseus refused, remained faithful to his Penelope.

Seven for long years Calypso did not let him go, and for all seven years Odysseus went ashore every day, sat there for hours, looking at the sea, yearning and crying. Finally, the Olympian gods took pity on Odysseus and decided that it was time to return him to his homeland. They sent Hermes to Calypso with the order to release Odysseus.

Wrath of Poseidon. The sad Calypso came to him and said: “I let you go to your homeland, Odysseus! Build yourself a raft, and I will send a fair wind.” Odysseus was delighted, he began to cut trees for the raft. For four days he worked tirelessly - now the raft is ready, the mast with a sail is fixed on it, it is inflated by a fair wind. She gave Calypso Odysseus supplies for the journey and said goodbye to him forever. For eighteen days the raft of Odysseus sailed on the sea. The shore had already appeared ahead, but Poseidon noticed the raft. He was angry: secretly from him, the gods wanted to help Odysseus. Poseidon grabbed a trident and struck it at the sea; great waves were rising, and winds were blowing from all sides. Unknown death awaited Odysseus; enviable now seemed to him the fate of the heroes who fell with glory under Troy. The waves tossed the raft from side to side; one of them covered Odysseus - and he ended up in the water. Odysseus would have drowned, but the sea goddess Levkothea saved him - she gave her wonderful cover that keeps a person on the water.

Poseidon was pleased: he finally managed to harm the hated hero. He looked around and went down to his underwater palace.

Help Pallas Athena. At that moment, Pallas Athena came to the aid of Odysseus: she calmed the sea, helped to get to the shore. The hero found a pile of dry leaves there, buried himself in it to protect himself from the night cold, and fell into a deep sleep.

Visiting the Phaeacians. The land Odysseus landed on was an island. Bold sailors, the Phaeacians, lived on it. From end to end they plowed the boundless sea on their ships and always helped the wanderers. They were ruled by King Alkina and Queen Areta, wise and hospitable. That morning the king's daughter Nausicaa decided to wash her clothes. She collected it and, together with her friends and slaves, went to the sea. The young maidens washed their clothes, laid them out to dry, and started a ball game themselves. They played merrily; but Athena was invisibly present among them. With a powerful hand she hit the ball - and he flew into the sea. All the girls screamed loudly at once, and Odysseus woke up from their cry. Covering himself with branches, he left the shelter. Mud and algae covered him from head to toe, the girls fled in fright, only Nausicaa remained in place. Odysseus turned to her: “Oh, fair maiden! You are not inferior in beauty to the immortal goddesses! Have pity on me, give me at least some rag to cover my nakedness! May the gods fulfill all your desires for this help!”

Nausicaa summoned the slave girls, ordered them to give Odysseus clothes and feed him, then invited them to follow her. Soon Odysseus found himself in the palace of Alcinous; as if asking for protection, he sat down on the floor by the hearth. But Alkinoy picked him up and seated him at the table next to him. He promised Odysseus a ship, but for now he arranged a magnificent feast in honor of his arrival. The king saw that Odysseus did not want to give his name, and did not ask him about it.

The story of Odysseus. The feast was merry; the blind singer Demodok entered the hall. He sang a song to please the feasters with it. He sang about the glorious deeds accomplished by the Greeks near Troy, about the dead heroes, about the cunning Odysseus and the wooden horse ... As spellbound, his guest listened: he remembered the past glory, and tears poured from his eyes. Alkinoy noticed them and asked: “Who are you, stranger? Why are you shedding bitter tears? Maybe your friend or relative died near Troy, and you mourn for them? Odysseus answered him: “I am Odysseus, king of Ithaca. I will tell you about what happened to me from the day the great Troy fell.

The story of Odysseus lasted all night: now, as if spellbound, the king and his guests listened. And the next morning they equipped the ship, loaded rich gifts on it. faster than the wind he rushed along the waves of the sea, and at the early dawn of the next day the shores of Ithaca appeared. Odysseus was sleeping when the ship approached his native shores. The Theakian sailors carefully carried him to the shore and laid him on the sand. They left there and all the gifts, and they themselves set off on their way back. But Poseidon was angry with them for bringing Odysseus home; the island of the Phaeacians was already close, however, the ship was not destined to sail to it. Poseidon turned this ship into a rock - such was the revenge of the formidable god.

Based on Homer's Odyssey.

The hero Odysseus endured many grave misfortunes, many formidable dangers, returning from Troy to Ithaca. He lost all his companions on the way, they all died, none of them were spared by evil fate. After long wanderings, Odysseus ended up on the island of Ogygia 1 with the nymph Calypso. For seven long years, Odysseus had to languish with the mighty sorceress Calypso. It was the eighth year. Odysseus yearned for his native Ithaca 2 and for his family, he begged to let him go to his homeland, but Calypso did not let him go. Finally, the Olympian gods took pity on Odysseus. At the meeting of the gods, Zeus decided, at the request of his daughter, the goddess Pallas Athena, to return Odysseus to his homeland, despite the fact that the god of the sea Poseidon pursued Odysseus everywhere on the sea, being angry with him for blinding the Cyclops Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon .

IN THE THACE, IN THE ABSENCE OF ODYSSEY, THE GROOM IS RUDE, RAVING HIS PROPERTY

When the gods decided to return Odysseus to their homeland, the warrior goddess Athena immediately descended from the high Olympus to the earth in Ithaca and, taking the form of the king of the Tafis Menta, went to the house of Odysseus. In the house she found violent suitors wooing Penelope, the wife of Odysseus. The grooms were sitting in the banquet hall and in. waiting for a feast prepared by slaves and servants, they played dice. The first to see Athena was the son of Odysseus, Telemachus. Telemachus warmly greeted the imaginary Ment. He took him into the house and seated him at a separate table away from the table at which the grooms were sitting. The feast has begun. When the suitors were satisfied, they called the singer Phemius to entertain them with his singing. During the singing, Femius leaned over Telemachus to Mentu and began to pity

to speak, but in such a way that the suitors do not hear, to those troubles that he suffers from the suitors. Telemachus grieved that his father Odysseus had not returned for so long; if his father returned, then, as Telemachus believed, all his troubles would end. Telemachus also asked the guest who he was and what his name was. Pallas Athena, calling herself Ment, said that she knew Odysseus, whom his son Telemachus looked so much like, and, as if not knowing what was happening in Odysseus' house, asked Telemachus if he was celebrating a wedding, was he celebrating some holiday? Why are his guests so outrageous? And Telemachus told his guest his grief. He told him how violent suitors force his mother Penelope to choose one of them as her husband, how they act outrageously, how they plunder his property. Athena listened to Telemachus and advised him to seek protection from the people of Ithaca, calling him to a meeting and complaining about the suitors in the meeting. Athena also advised Telemachus to go to Pylos to the elder Nestor and to Sparta to King Menelaus and learn from them about the fate of Odysseus. Having given such advice to Telemachus, Athena left him. She turned into a bird and disappeared from the eyes of Telemachus. Then he realized that he had just been talking with God.

At this time, from her rest, Penelope descended into the banquet hall. She heard the singing of Phemius, who sang a song about the return of heroes from under Troy. Penelope began to ask Phemius to stop the sad song and sing another. But Telemachus interrupted her. He said that the choice of song is not the fault of the singer, but god Zeus that inspired him to sing this particular song. Telemachus asked his mother to return to her rest and do things there that were decent for her as a woman and mistress: yarn, weaving, monitoring the work of slaves and the order in the house. He asked his mother not to interfere in matters that were not appropriate for her, and said that in the house of his father Odysseus he alone was the ruler. Penelope listened to her son. She dutifully went to her rest and, shutting herself in it, remembering Odysseus, wept bitterly; finally, the goddess Athena plunged her into a sweet dream.

The grooms, when Penelope left, argued for a long time which of them should become her husband. They were soon interrupted by Telemachus. He said that he would turn to the people's assembly for help so that it would forbid them to destroy his house. Telemachus threatened them with the wrath of the gods. But his threats had little effect on the suitors, they still continued to make noise, sing and dance, rampaging until nightfall. Only late at night the suitors parted.

Telemachus also went to his bedchamber, accompanied by the faithful servant of Odysseus, the aged Eurycleia, who nursed him as a child. There Telemachus lay down on his bed. All night long he could not close his eyes - he thought over the advice given by Pallas Athena.

The next day, early in the morning, Telemachus ordered the heralds to assemble the people's assembly. People quickly gathered. Telemachus also came to the people's assembly, in his hands he had a spear, after him

Telemachus and Penelope. (Drawing on a vase.)

two dogs ran. He was so beautiful that the audience marveled at him. The elders of Ithaca parted before him, and he sat down in his father's place. Telemachus asked the people to protect him from the excesses of suitors robbing his house. He conjured the people in the name of Zeus and the goddess of justice Themis to help him.

Having finished his angry speech, Telemachus sat down in his place, lowered his head, and tears flowed from his eyes. The whole assembly fell silent, but one of the suitors, Antinous, boldly began to answer Telemachus. He reproached Penelope for the trick she resorted to just to avoid marriage with one of the suitors. After all, she told them that she would choose a husband from them only when she had finished weaving a rich cover. During the day, Penelope really wove the cover, but at night she unraveled what she managed to weave in a day. He threatened Antinous that the suitors would not leave the house of Odysseus until Penelope chose a husband from them. Antinous even demanded that Telemachus send his mother to her father. By this he wanted to force her to choose a husband for herself. Telemachus refused to expel his mother from home; he called Zeus to witness the insults and evil that he suffers from suitors. Zeus the Thunderer heard him and sent a sign. Two high-flying eagles rose above the people's assembly, the eagles flew to the middle of the people's assembly and rushed at each other; they tore their chests and necks into blood and quickly disappeared from the eyes of the astonished people. The bird fortuneteller Halifers announced to all those gathered that this sign portends the imminent return of Odysseus, and then woe to the suitors. Unrecognized, Odysseus will return and severely punish those who robbed his house. Here is what Galifers told the audience. One of the suitors, Eurymachus, began to mock the bird-reader loudly. He threatened that they would kill Odysseus himself.

Eurymachus proudly declared that the suitors were not afraid of anything: neither Telemachus, nor the prophetic birds with which the bird fortuneteller frightens them.

Telemachus did not continue to convince the suitors to stop the atrocities. He asked the people to give him a fast ship so that he could sail on it to Pylos to Nestor, where he hoped to learn something about his father. Telemachus was supported by only one reasonable Mentor, a friend of Odysseus; he reproached the people for allowing suitors to offend Telemachus in this way. The citizens sat in silence. Leocritus arose from among the suitors. He, mocking Telemachus, threatened Odysseus with death if, upon returning, he tries to drive the suitors out of his house. Leocritus was so impudent that he even arbitrarily dismissed the people's assembly.

In deep grief, Telemachus went to the seashore, and there he turned with a prayer to Pallas Athena. The goddess appeared to him, taking the form of Mentor. The goddess advised him to leave the grooms alone, as they, in their blindness, are preparing their own death, which is getting closer and closer. The goddess promised to get the ship to Telemachus and accompany him on his way to Pylos. The goddess ordered him to go home and prepare everything necessary for the long journey.

Telemachus obeyed her. He found the suitors at home. They were about to start the feast. Antinous greeted Telemachus with mockery and, taking him by the hand, invited him to take part in the feast. But Telemachus angrily tore his hand away and left, threatening the suitors with the wrath of the gods. Telemachus called his faithful servant Eurycleia and went to the vast storeroom of Odysseus to take everything necessary for the journey. Only Eurycleia told Telemachus about his decision to go to Pylos and asked her to take care of her mother during his absence. The faithful servant of Telemachus began to pray not to leave Ithaca - she was afraid that the son of Odysseus would die. But he was adamant.

Meanwhile, Pallas Athena, having taken the form of Telemachus, went around the whole city, gathered twenty young rowers and also went to Noemon to ask for a ship. Willingly gave his beautiful ship to Noemon. Now everything was ready for departure. Athena, invisible, went into the hall where the suitors were feasting, and plunged them all into a deep sleep. Then, taking again the form of Mentor, she led Telemachus out of the palace and took him to the seashore to the ship. The companions of Telemachus quickly transferred the supplies prepared by Eurycleia to the ship and loaded them onto the ship. Telemachus went on a ship with an imaginary Mentor. Athena sent a fair wind, and the ship quickly rushed to the open sea.

• 1 The Greeks believed that Ogygia lay somewhere in the west, in the very middle of the sea.
• One of the islands to the west of Greece in the Ionian Sea.

The Achaeans were at first calm - they had enough bread and wine, and therefore they did not touch the bulls of Helios. But their supply of food was finally exhausted, and they had to shoot game and fish in the sea with hooks. Although they were tormented by hunger, they did not touch the bulls of Helios.
Once Odysseus was walking alone on the island and, tired, fell asleep far from his companions.
At this time, Eurylochus addressed them with these words:
“Faithful companions, listen to what I tell you: every death is terrible for a person, but the worst of all is starvation!” Let's choose the best bulls in the herd of Helios and sacrifice them to the gods, and when we return to Ithaca, we will build a rich temple for their lord Helios. If Helios does not forgive us, then it is better to die at sea than to slowly die of hunger.
All agreed with Eurylochus, and choosing the best bulls from the herd, they slaughtered them. They threw the insides of the bulls into the sacrificial flame, and they began to fry the meat on skewers, preparing a delicious dinner for themselves. At this time, Odysseus woke up and went to the seashore. Coming closer to the ship, he saw what his companions had done, and was horrified.
Angered, he began to reproach them, but it was too late. Suddenly a terrible omen appeared: the skins of the slaughtered bulls began to spread on the ground, and the fried meat made a terrible roar.
But the companions of Odysseus were not afraid of this and enjoyed food for six days in a row; and on the seventh - by this time the storm had already subsided - they went out to the open sea.
Helios was informed about the killing of bulls by his daughter, the nymph Lampetia. Helios was angry with the companions of Odysseus because they killed his bulls, which he always admired, rising to the starry sky or descending from the starry sky to earth, and turned to Zeus with a request that he punish the Achaeans for this: “If you do not punish Achaeans, I will descend into the dark region of Hades and will shine on dead people.
Zeus answered:
— No, shine for us and the people living on earth. I will soon destroy Odysseus' ship.
And so, when the Achaeans had already sailed from the island of Trinacia and were in the open sea, Zeus sent a large thundercloud and a terrible storm arose. The ship's gear that held the mast broke, it broke and collapsed along with the sails and yards on the helmsman, and he was thrown into the sea. And Zeus struck the ship with a thunderous arrow. The ship was split, and all the Achaeans were thrown into the sea by a wave and drowned in a dark abyss.
Only Odysseus survived, he held on, escaping on shipwrecks. Odysseus quickly grabbed a rope woven from an oxhide, with which a broken mast was attached to the ship, and, having connected the mast and the fragments of the keel with this rope, he firmly grabbed them and swam across the boundless stormy sea.
And for a long time he rushed over the sea; but at last the angry wind of Boreas subsided; he was replaced by a swift South wind, and, to the horror of Odysseus, he drove him back to Skilla and Charybdis.
All night long the south wind drove him across the sea, and at early dawn Odysseus saw that he was brought by a wave to the terrible cliffs. Just at this time, Charybdis opened the depths of the sea with a noise and a whirlpool began. Odysseus grabbed hold of a low branch of a fig tree that grew on a rock just above the whirlpool, and firmly, as bat, clinging to it, he hung on it and waited until the fragments of the keel were thrown out by the whirlpool. Odysseus waited for a long time, but then, finally, the keel floated along with the mast from the dark, foaming Charybdis. Odysseus rushed down and, falling on the ship's wreckage, began rowing with all his might with his hands like oars.
Skilla failed to notice the swimming Odysseus, otherwise he would have to die.
For nine days Odysseus rushed across the sea, but on the tenth day he was thrown out at night on the island of Ogygia, where the fair-haired nymph Calypso lived. And Odysseus was received cordially by a beautiful nymph.

Odysseus with the nymph Calypso

Odysseus had to live for seven years on the island with the beautiful nymph Calypso, and he had almost lost hope of returning to his native Ithaca, where he aspired with all his heart. The beautiful nymph wanted him not to think about returning to his homeland. She promised him eternal youth and immortality for this, but Odysseus could not forget about his native Ithaca, about his wife, about his son, and was not seduced by the promises of Calypso.
At this time, a hundred suitors gathered in the house of Odysseus, the richest and noblest youths of Ithaca and neighboring islands; they solicited that the wife of Odysseus, the beautiful Penelope, agreed to marry one of them. Every day they feasted in the house of Odysseus, squandered his household, believing that he had long since died and would never return to his homeland. They wanted to remove his son Telemachus from power and elect another king, one of their friends. But faithful Penelope did not want to marry anyone, she loved Odysseus and still hoped that he would return to his home. And decided to wait for her husband.
Once the gods gathered on the top of Mount Olympus, at the thunderer Zeus, and during the feast they began to talk about the fate of people.
But there was no Poseidon among the gods, who hated Odysseus.
Then Pallas Athena decided to stand up for her beloved Odysseus and said to Zeus, her father:
- My heart mourns for the unfortunate Odysseus; he has long been separated from his wife and son, on a wooded island with the daughter of Atlanta, the nymph Calypso; she keeps Odysseus there by force and affectionate words and by magic hopes to make him forget about his native Ithaca. But Odysseus wants to see his own home before his death. Have pity on him, O Zeus!
And Zeus answered her:
“I have not forgotten about Odysseus, and I wish him well. But Poseidon pursues him for blinding the Cyclops. Now Poseidon is far away on the edge of the earth, among the Ethiopians, and now we will help Odysseus return to his homeland. Let Poseidon be angry, but against the will of all of us he is powerless.
Then Pallas Athena asked Zeus:
“Let Hermes tell about our decision to the nymph Calypso. And I will go to Ithaca and inspire courage in his son Telemachus; let him come to sandy Pylos and Sparta to find out about his father.
And everyone on Olympus agreed with Pallas Athena. Zeus immediately sent a quick herald of his Hermes to the island of Ogygia, to the nymph Calypso, and Pallas Athena, putting on golden sandals that easily carried her through the air, taking a heavy large spear in her hand, hurried down from the top of Olympus to Ithaca.

Hermes comes to Calypso.

Hermes, the messenger of the gods, tied winged sandals on which he could fly as if on wings, and, taking in his hands his rod, with which he knew how to put people to sleep and awaken the sleeping, he immediately rushed on the path, and, having reached Pieria, he descended from the ether to the sea and winged fisherman rushed over the waves; Like a light sea gull, he flew over the abyss, rushed to the island of Ogygia and appeared in a spacious shady cave where Calypso lived.
At that time, a fire was burning on her hearth, and the whole island was enveloped in the smell of resinous cedar and the tree of life. Hermes saw a beautiful nymph, she sat with a golden shuttle over a patterned fabric and sang beautiful songs. Poplars, cypresses and alders grew around the cave, hawks, owls and various long-winged birds nested in the trees. The vineyard covered the cave with a dense green net, red clusters hung on heavy branches; four bright streams flowed, and all around were green meadows, where violets and various herbs grew. Even Hermes, the messenger of the gods, was amazed by the beauty of those places, and so he entered the cave of the nymph. Calypso recognized him at once; Odysseus was not in the cave at that time, he was sitting alone on sea ​​shore and wept, peering into the desert sea.
The nymph Hermes was affectionately greeted and asked him why he had come to the island. Hermes informed her about the will of Zeus; the beautiful Calypso was horrified and said that she would fulfill the command of Zeus. Let Odysseus sail on the desert sea, but she announced to Hermes that she could not give Odysseus either a ship or rowers, she could only give him good advice, supply him with bread, water and wine for the road and send him a fair wind. And immediately Hermes departed.
She found Calypso on the seashore of Odysseus and told him that she was ready to let him go.

She advised him to chop trees, hew strong logs, strengthen them with copper staples and make railings on them; Calypso promised him to give bread, water and wine for the road, provide him with clothes and send him a fair wind.
Odysseus did not believe her at first and asked:
"Are you thinking of something else?" How can I swim across the stormy sea on a raft?
But Calypso, smiling, said:
I swear to you by the waters of the dark Styx that I do not wish you harm. - And the nymph gave him a copper ax and a drill and led him to the edge of the island, where poplars, alders and pines grew.