When our friends John and Sharon did arrive, we spent a day exploring the island by car, being especially interested in the sites speculated by archeologists as those mentioned in Homer�s Odyssey. Although both Lefkas and Cephalonia were also mentioned with equally convincing evidence as the possible island home of Odysseus, Ithaca still remained the favorite with archeologists. After our day of exploring, we totally agreed.
In southern Ithaca the Bay of Dexia near Vathi was considered to be the ancient Phorkys where sleeping Odysseus was laid by the Phaeacians. Nearby, the archeological site �Cave of the Nymphs� (presently closed to the public) was where Odysseus supposedly hid his gifts that the Phaeacians gave him. South of Vathi on the plateau of Marathiasis Odysseus presumably met his swineherd Eumaios, and an hour's walk further south led to the Fountain of Arethousa and the Raven's Rock, both mentioned in The Odyssey. |
