On the island of Circe

The ship sails alone now, and the travellers, saddened by the loss of their companions, think that if they had listened to Odysseus, nothing would have happened to them. But soon another island appeared before them. They approached, they steadied themselves and came ashore. A beautiful island, full of trees and dew.

In the palace of Circe

But they are afraid of the same thing happening to them and that's why they prepare a team led by Eurylochus, which sets off for the interior of the island.

After a few hours, they arrived in front of an all-white palace surrounded by magnificent gardens. There were all sorts of animals running around, but they did not harm anyone.

Transformation into pigs

The foreigners proceed, enter the palace and there they see a beautiful woman sitting on the loom and singing. It was the goddess Circe, a terrible witch. She rose at once and welcomed them. She laid a rich table for them and begged them to eat. But she had put magic herbs in the food and as they finished, she touched them with her magic wand. Immediately they all became pigs. She took them and shut them up in her stable, and then she went back to her loom.

The help of  Hermes (Mercury)

But Eurylochus, who had not gone in, when he saw what had happened, ran quickly to the boat and told Odysseus. Ulysses drew his sword, and pulled for the palace of Circe. On the way he met Hermes, who gave him an herb and told him what to do as the goddess raised her magic wand to touch him.

Odysseus in the palace of Circe

Odysseus arrived at the palace, was welcomed by Circe and made him eat. But when she saw that her spell was not working, she lifted her wand. Then Odysseus drew his sword and warned her that he would kill her. Immediately Circe fell on her knees and begged him not to kill her and she would do as she pleased. Odysseus swore her to the oath of the gods, and soon his companions were human again.

The help of Circe

They stayed there for about a year, then they wanted to leave and begged Circe to help them. She advised Odysseus to go to Hades to see the seer Tiresias, to tell him what would happen.