Summary

Odysseus tells the Phaeacians who he is and then begins to tell the story of his travels home from the Trojan War:

After leaving Troy, Odysseus and his men come to Ismarus, the land of the Cicone peoples. They raid the city and kill the men, and Odysseus then divides the food, wealth and women among his men. Odysseus wants to get away quickly but the men insist on staying to feast on the Cicones’ food. The surviving Cicones raise an army from the surrounding people and attack Odysseus’ men. Six men from each ship are killed before the Greeks manage to get away.

Odysseus and his men sail away. They come to the land of the Lotus Eaters, people who eat the fruit of the Lotus plant. This plant acts like a drug that takes away...