The poem mainly centers on the Greek hero Odysseus (or Ulysses, as he was known in Roman myths) and his journey home after the fall of Troy. It takes Odysseus ten years to reach his home land of Ithaca after the ten-year Trojan War. In his absence, it is assumed he has died, and his wife Penelope and son Telemachus must deal with a group of unruly suitors, who compete for Penelope's hand in marriage.
Take up the challenge, and embark on your own Odyssey, visit the sixes caches in this series and take part in some of the adventures, trials and tribulations that Odysseus endured during his epic journey. Hopefully it will take you a little less than 10 years.
AEOLUS
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After their escape from the Cyclops Odysseus sailed on to reach the island of Aeolia the home of Aeolus – The Keeper of the winds.
“We came to the Aiolian island here lived Aeolus, son of Hippotas; the deathless gods counted him their friend. His island is a floating one; all round it there is a wall of bronze, unbreakable, and rock rises sheer above it. Twelve children of his live in the palace with him; six are daughters, six are sons in the prime of youth; moreover the king has given his daughters as wives to his sons. These all hold a continual feast with their dear father and much-loved mother; countless dainties are there before them, and through the daytime the hall is rich with savoury smells and murmurous with the sound of music. At night they sleep, each with his own chaste wife, on inlaid bedsteads with coverlets over them. To their city and noble palace we now came, and for a whole month Aeolus gave me hospitality and questioned me on all manner of things, Ilion [i.e. Troy] and the Argive ships and how the Akhaians sailed for home. I duly told him all he desired; then in my turn I asked his leave to depart and begged him to help me on my way. Nor was he unwilling; he set about speeding my return. He gave me a bag made from the hide of a full-grown ox of his, and in the bag he had penned up every Wind (anemos) that blows whatever its course might be; because Zeus had made him warden of all the Winds, to bid each of them rise or fall at his own pleasure. He placed the bag in my own ship’s hold, tied with a glittering silver cord so that through that fastening not even a breath could stray; to Zephyros (the West Wind) only he gave commission to blow for me, to carry onwards my ships and men. Yet he was not after all to accomplish his design, because our own folly ruined us. For nine days and through nine nights we sailed on steadily; on the tenth day our own country began to heave in sight; we were near enough to see men tending their fires on shore. It was then that beguiling sleep surprised me; I was tired out, because all this time I had kept my own hands on the steering-oar, never entrusting it to one of the crew, for I wished to speed our journey home. Meanwhile the crew began murmuring among themselves; they were sure I was taking home new presents of gold and silver from Aeolus. One of them would say as he eyed his neighbour: `What injustice! In whatever city or land he comes to, this man wins everyone’s friendship and regard. He is taking back a mass of fine things from the spoils of Troy, while we who have journeyed with him from the first to last are returning home all empty-handed. And now come these latest gifts that Aeolus in his hospitality had indulged him with. Come, let us look without wasting time. What are these gifts? How much gold and silver is there inside the bag?’ Thus the men talked among themselves, and the counsels of folly were what prevailed. They undid the bag, the Winds rushed out all together, and in a moment a tempest had seized my crew and was driving them--now all in tears--back to the open sea and away from home. I myself awoke, and wondered if now I should throw myself overboard and be drowned in ocean or if I should bear it all in silence and stay among the living. I did bear it and did remain, but covered my face as I lay on deck. My own ship and the others with it were carried back by raging storm to the island of Aiolos , amid the groaning of all my company. There we set foot ashore and drew water, and without delay my crews and I took our meal by the rapid ships. When we had had our portion of food and drink, I chose to come with me one man as my own attendant and one besides; then I sent up to the place of Aeolus, and found him feasting there with his wife and children. We went in and we sat down at the threshold by the doorposts, while the household asked in deep amazement: `Odysseus, how is it that you are here again? What malicious god has set upon you? Surely we did our best before to speed you upon your way, meaning to reach your own land and home or whatever place you might desire?’ So they spoke, and I said despondently: `Faithless comrades were my undoing, they and the slumber that betrayed me. But you are my friends; you have the remedy; grant it me.’ With these humble words I made my appeal to them. They remained in silence, except the father, who answered me : `Away from this island, away at once, most despicable of creatures! I am forbidden to welcome here or to help send elsewhere a man whom the blessed gods abhor. This return reveals you as god-forsaken; go!’ And with these words he drove me forth despite my pitiful lamentations. Then we sailed onwards sick at heart."
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You will need to visit 6 caches in this series to gather information to work out where the Final Cache GC3GZ6J “The Odyssey- Ithaca” is hidden.
Each cache contains a code you should remember to write down and take with you.
The six caches in the series are
- GC3GZ5D – Calypso
- GC3GZ5H – The Lotus Eaters
- GC3GZ5M – Cyclops
- GC3GZ5T – Aeolus
- GC3GZ5Y – Circe
- GC3GZ60 – The Sirens
Please NOTE that you must sign the log book for each individual cacher, Finds logged not corresponding with the logbook may be deleted.
Please take some time before leaving to ensure that the cache is re-hidden exactly as you found it.