Initially calm journey

The Greeks set out for the sweet homeland. The twelve ships of Odysseus set out for the coveted Ithaca. A fresh breeze swelled the white sails. And joy swelled their chests and they began to sing songs.

Sudden storm

But the gods were angry because the Greeks did not respect the temples of Troy. Soon the wind picked up and lifted the waves like mountains, and the ships of the kings parted. Odysseus's ships were taken by the sea to the shores of Thrace, near a city called Ismarus, inhabited by a fierce people, the Ciconians.

The raid

They asked the Cicones for food and water, but the Cicones wanted to drive them out with war. Odysseus and his companions easily defeated them and took everything they wanted from their city: sacks of old wine, oxen and vultures. Then they returned to the beach and began the feast.

The Attack of the Cicones

Odysseus was telling his companions to leave quickly, but they would not listen. At night thousands of Cicones from the surrounding villages gathered and at dawn they fired on the Greeks. Seventy of Odysseus' comrades were killed. Those who survived promised to obey their leader another time.