{"id":4324,"date":"2010-09-26T10:34:32","date_gmt":"2010-09-26T17:34:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/travelthruhistory.com\/?p=4324"},"modified":"2020-08-03T11:04:39","modified_gmt":"2020-08-03T18:04:39","slug":"the-legend-of-calypso","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelthruhistory.com\/the-legend-of-calypso\/","title":{"rendered":"The Legend of Calypso"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Gozo<\/p>\n

Gozo, Malta<\/h2>\n

by Tanja Cilia<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Red Bay\u201d Il-Bajja l-Hamra is the colloquial name for Ramla Bay, situated between beneath Xaghra and Nadur, in Gozo, Malta, the archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.<\/p>\n

\"beachIf all the red-hued sand were cleared away from the beach, the remains of Roman Baths would come to light; as it is, the historical connection is wrought through Calypso\u2019s Cave, in the cliff-face facing the bay on its western side.<\/p>\n

Homer\u2019s second epic poem, the Odyssey, recounts the sagas of Ulysses. In the fifth book, he tells of how the Greek hero came to Ogygia and spent seven years with the nymph Calypso.<\/p>\n

Having fought for ten years in the siege of Troy, Ulysses wanted to return home to Ithaca, where his wife Penelope, his son Telamon and his father Laertes were waiting for him. But in similar circumstances to those that were to befall the Apostle Paul many years later, Ulysses ship floundered in one of the notorious stormy gales of the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n

\"shorelineThe vessel was struck by a thunderbolt that killed his crew. For nine weary days, he steered his battered craft towards the speck on the horizon. When he landed, he reveled in the surroundings \u2013 the balmy air was scented with cypress; delicious fruits grew upon trees the likes of which he had never seen before; four streams of cool water converged into a fountain that gurgled to fill the air with its melodies.<\/p>\n

He thought the island was uninhabited \u2013 until he caught sight of several nubile dancers clothes in diaphanous gowns, dancing around a fire, over which hung a big pot bubbling with an exotic brew of herbs and spices.<\/p>\n

The main attraction of this Arcadia had to be even more fascinating \u2013 and so, indeed, she was. Out of a cave, the entrance of which was partly curtained off with vines bearing luscious grapes, sauntered the most beautiful vision. It is said that the Nereid Calypso had aquamarine eyes and tresses that fell to the ground.<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/p>\n

\"rocksShe clapped her hands perfunctorily, and her attendants understood that they were to bring food, drink, and fresh clothes for the traveler. Meanwhile, she led him to a golden throne and told him that she was Calypso, queen of Ogygia, and that she wanted him to live with her for evermore; this would give him eternal youth and immortality, and he would never want for anything. He insisted that once he was rested, he wanted to return home \u2013 but she would not hear of it. In any case \u2013 his ship was matchwood.<\/p>\n

Ulysses was in this love-hate relationship for seven years. He was torn between wanting to enjoy the worldly delights Calypso offered, and homesickness. Each day he prayed to his patron goddess Athena, to intercede with Zeus on his behalf.<\/p>\n

The love of his life, Penelope, as we know, was busy warding off those wooing her by knitting a garment during the day, and unraveling the stitches at night, claiming she would select a suitor when she was finished with it.<\/p>\n

\"wavesZeus eventually decided to heed the prayers of Ulysses. He sent Hermes with an order to Calypso to release him. No one disobeys Zeus, and so Calypso helped him gather wood to build a raft, which she then loaded with provisions for the trip as well as gifts for his family. She summoned Aeolus, biding him to fill the sails and take him home safely.<\/p>\n

Homer does not say whether Odysseus and Calypso had any children. Some tales, written after the Odyssey, tell us that Calypso had a son called Latinus \u2013 however, some say that Circe was the mother of Latinus. Other accounts say that Calypso had two sons by Ulysses – Nausithous and Nausinous.
\n(See:\u00a0www.en.wikipedia.org<\/a>)<\/p>\n

Some versions of this story say that when Ulysses set sail, Calypso died of grief.<\/p>\n

Calypso\u2019s Goodbye<\/h3>\n

by Tanja Cilia<\/em><\/p>\n

Ulysses, I loved you; I love you forever.
\nI offered you immortality
\nAt the risk of losing mine<\/p>\n

My dream was to make Ogygia
\nThe jewel in the crown
\nOf Malta<\/p>\n

I tempted you with wild thyme honey,
\nCapers, olives, grilled lampuki, and
\nFresh sea-urchins,
\nCulled from the clear blue
\nMediterranean.<\/p>\n

But your heart was elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Goodbye, Ulysses.<\/p>\n

My dolphins swam with you
\nMy nymphs sang to you and
\nYou heard them \u2013
\nBut you were listening to her voice,
\nWhich drowned them out.<\/p>\n

I made this Island a perfect haven
\nBut you yearned for her still.<\/p>\n

My Hyades and Limonads and Petrads
\nCatered to your every whim.
\nBut you wanted more.
\nYou still craved her.<\/p>\n

Penelope \u2013 I hate the sound of the name.
\nAbsent, and yet she held the strings to your
\nSoul, your mind, your heart, your body.
\nTelamon will know his father again.<\/p>\n

Goodbye, Ulysses.
\nMy cypress groves will echo your voice for ever.
\nMy Arcadia will echo no more with your steps
\nIthaca will welcome her Hero once more.<\/p>\n

I knew it would be so
\nWhen I heard the swish
\nOf Hermes\u2019s wings
\nBearing Zeus\u2019s message.<\/p>\n

Seven years passed by in a flash before my mind.
\nAnd then, conceding defeat,
\nI asked Aeolus
\nTo summon Boreas, Eurus, Notus and Zephyrus
\nTo take turns
\nAnd speed you on your way.<\/p>\n

The red sand of my bay will remain in your mind
\nForever.
\nThe touch of your hands is imprinted in my soul.
\nYou will tell of Xaghra and Nadur for the rest of your days.
\nAnd I will pine for you until eternity ends.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

 <\/p>\n

If You Go:<\/h3>\n