The land of Laestrygonians

Ulysses' journey

The land of laestrygonians

a Tell Me Muse E-Twinning project

THE ODYssey: adventures of an hero

exploring the land of laestrygonians

literature, arts and sciences

interpretations

A FAMOUS journey

The adventure of Odysseus, a man of many resources, is the central subject of Homer's Odyssey, and the theme of the journey as an experience of personal challenge has an educational and developmental purpose. Therefore, interpreting Homeric episodes and characters within a multi-thematic, modern, and cross-cutting framework can encourage a reinterpreted and renewed understanding of the Homeric message and its hero.

The Laestrygonians in the Odyssey (Book X)

• A narrow harbor surrounded by high cliffs, with only one small entrance. • The ships enter and anchor in the harbor — except for Odysseus’ ship, which remains outside. • King Antiphates and the sudden attack: men are seized and devoured. • The destruction of eleven ships and the desperate escape of Odysseus’ vessel — the only one to survive.

Odysseus and his men land in Lamos, the mysterious land of the Lestrygonians, giant cannibals.

the land of laestrygonians

Sardinia

The exact location of the land of the Lestrygonians has fascinated scholars and travelers for centuries. Both ancient Greek and Roman geographers and modern researchers have tried to match Homer’s descriptions with real places in the Mediterranean. These hypotheses reflect the human desire to transform myth into geography, connecting the epic imagination of Homer with real landscapes. These hypotheses reflect the human desire to transform myth into geography, connecting the epic imagination of Homer with real landscapes.

Sicily

Ancient and Modern Geographical Hypotheses

Bonifacio strait

Formia

laestrygonians: an interactive path

The episode of the Laestrygonians in the Odyssey has fascinated many minds throughout history, so much so that it has inspired many to draw inspiration from it or to explore it further. Many people, especially in the past, wondered where the land of the Laestrygonians described by Homer could actually be; just as many others, however, have sought not so much their location, but more their interpretation.

more on the land's possible whereabouts

Laestrygonians in literature, arts and sciences

interdisciplinary correlations. the laesrtygonians in...

Different art forms, different eras, so many different points of view. All united by a single source of inspiration.

Music

LITERATURE

sciences

figurative art

different authors on the topic

LITERATURE

Various writers mention the Laestrygonians in their works, using their figures as metaphors or allegories with versatile but deep meanings. There are many examples we could look at.

Kavafis

Joyce

Lucciarini & Introna

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ART

episode's iconographies

Art is the whole world; art epitomises manhood, our souls, what we believe in and the stories we tell. Through different eras, we see art changing constantly along with humanity and its way of interpreting things such as ancient miths.

Modern Art

Renaissance Art

Ancient Art

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MUSIC

the odyssey throughmusic

The episode of the Laestrygonians, along with the rest of the Odyssey, has inspired various musical works. It's interesting to see how many different kinds of music, from different times and styles, have been (and still are) inspired by Homer's work, because it helps us understand how universal his stories are.

"Ulisse"

"Odissea Dieci"

"Epic: The Musical"

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Analogies with thescientific world

SCIENCES

Despite being a different field of knowledge, science, thought as the study of the world, allows us to learn about aspects of reality that can only be described with the most fitting adjective, "colossal," just like the Laestrygonians and other gigantic creatures that lived in the imagination of the ancients, perhaps inspired by these particular scientific phenomena.

Astronomy

Biology

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where are the laestrygonians?

Sicily: The Connection with Giants and Volcanoes

Sicily has long been associated with myths of giants and monstrous creatures, making it one of the most convincing candidates for the land of the Lestrygonians.The Cyclops Polyphemus, another famous mythical giant from the Odyssey, is also placed in Sicily — strengthening the island’s link to Homeric myths.

Some scholars suggest that the land of the Lestrygonians could be located along the southwestern coast of Sardinia, in areas like Carloforte or the Gulf of Cagliari. The archaeological richness of Sardinia and its ancient myths make it a fascinating candidate for the homeland of the Lestrygonians.

The Archaeological Theory

Click here ...

SARDINIA

Formia and Lazio: Local Roots of the Myth

Some ancient authors, including Pliny the Elder, identified the Lestrygonians with a pre-Roman population living in the area around Formia, in the region of Lazio, Italy. • Etymological connection: The city of Lamos, described in the Odyssey as the land of the Lestrygonians, is linked to Lamus, a legendary king of Lazio. • The natural harbor of Formia matches Homer’s description: a safe port with narrow access, protected by cliffs. • Local legends and myths in this area speak of giant creatures, reinforcing the ancient belief that this land could have been the home of the Lestrygonians.

Other Minor Hypotheses

The Tyrrhenian Sea

Malta

Bonifacio Bay

more info

more info

more info

Beyond the major theories, there are several other locations that have been suggested as the possible homeland of the Lestrygonians. These lesser-known ideas add intrigue to the myth of the Lestrygonians and their connection to various Mediterranean regions.

The mystery of the Lestrygonians’ homeland lies in its ambiguity. Despite numerous theories, there is no definitive geographical location. This uncertainty adds to the fascination of the myth. • No definitive location: The strength of the myth lies in its ability to adapt to both real and imagined landscapes. • The Odyssey is a journey full of symbols, fears, and geographical discoveries. Each stop on the journey represents a new metaphor for human challenges. • The Mediterranean landscape serves as a backdrop for legends that blend nature and imagination, where real places are infused with the magic of myth.

The Fascination of Indeterminacy

The indeterminate location of the Lestrygonians reflects the power of myth to shape our perception of the world, blending reality with the supernatural.

From Mythical Monsters to Modern Challenges

A Modern Interpretation – Konstantinos Kavafis’ Poem

Kavafis, in his poem "I Lestrigoni e i Ciclopi", suggests that the real monsters are within us, not outside. The real “monsters” are our fears, prejudices, hatred, and mental closure.

The Laestrygonians of Fear – The Rejection of the Other

Today, the Lestrigoni live in the form of barriers, discrimination, and rejection.

The Laestrygonians of Economic and Social Fears

Economic and social fears contribute to the modern Laestrygonians.

Overcoming the Laestrygonians – A New Ithaca

Ulysses survives the attack of the Laestrygonians by continuing his journey. Today, we must choose to keep moving forward, building bridges rather than walls.

Be Ulysses, Not the Laestrygonians

The true challenge of today is to choose the path of Ulysses – to overcome the fears and barriers of the Lestrigoni. By opening ourselves to others, embracing change, and choosing empathy over fear, we can create a future of understanding and shared growth.

THE END

Thanks for your attention

Maria Paola Caprio, Gerardo Famularo, Margherita Grazia Lullo 4A Liceo E. Medi, Battipaglia (IT)

In biology, the Lestrygonians can be linked to gigantism, a condition in which organisms grow abnormally large due to genetic or environmental factors. In humans, this can result from conditions like acromegaly, caused by excessive growth hormone production. In nature, island gigantism leads to unusually large species, similar to how the Lestrygonians were described as towering giants. Their portrayal in mythology may have been inspired by ancient discoveries of large animal fossils, mistaken for the remains of giant humanoids.

GENETIC DESEASES IN NATURE

Biology

Frescoes from the House on Via Graziosa in Rome (mid-1st century B.C.)

House on

Via graziosa

ROMAN FRESCOES

These frescoes depict various episodes from Homer’s Odyssey. Among these, the encounter with the Laestrygonians is prominently featured, illustrating the moment when these giant cannibals attack Odysseus’s fleet by hurling massive rocks from towering cliffs, resulting in the destruction of his ships and the loss of his men. These frescoes are characterized by their detailed landscapes and dynamic compositions, offering valuable insights into Roman interpretations of Greek mythology and the artistic techniques of the period.

The Fall of the Giants (1532) - fresco by Giulio Romano in the Palazzo Te, Mantua.

Scenes of Odysseus’ adventures, including encounters with monsters and mythical beings, were often painted in palaces and villas to emphasize knowledge of classical literature.

The dramatic perspective and intense motion reflect the Renaissance interest in storytelling and grand compositions.

Frescoes and Mythological Paintings

Giulio Romano’s The Fall of the Giants in Palazzo Te, while not directly depicting the Laestrygonians, showcases the fascination with giants in mythology.

During the Renaissance, classical mythology inspired many works of art, including frescoes and large-scale paintings.

The musical, with nine concept albums, tells the long and dangerous journey of Odysseus and is split into two acts, which are further divided into nine sagas. The first act includes The Ocean Saga, that covers the events between the episode with Aeolus, the god of the winds, and the arrival of the hero's only surviving ship at the island of Circe. With the song Ruthlessness, the Laestrygonians are shown a bit differently than in the traditional way. Instead of being giant creatures, they're like a powerful force of nature, a huge wave sent by the god Poseidon to make Odysseus's journey harder. The Laestrygonians, in this version, are like a chorus of strong and scary voices that go along with the wave as it causes destruction, showing the anger of the sea and Poseidon's unfriendly feelings.

“Epic: The Musical” by Jorge Rivera-Herrans

Illustrations and Cinema

Odyssey Illustrations by Gustave Doré (19th century)

In modern times, the Laestrygonians have been illustrated in books, particularly in 19th-century prints. Gustave Doré, known for his dramatic and highly detailed engravings, created a series of illustrations for The Odyssey. His depiction of Odysseus’ encounters, including monstrous beings like the Laestrygonians, uses strong contrasts of light and shadow to heighten the sense of fear and adventure.

These illustrations influenced later artistic interpretations and even cinematic adaptations of Homer’s epic.

The Role of Education and Dialogue • Studies (OECD 2023) show that education reduces prejudice. • Schools, universities, and media play crucial roles in promoting empathy and understanding.

A New Vision for the Future • If nations collaborated on humane migration policies, celebrated differences, and embraced change, we could build a better world.

The Future of Work

• The World Economic Forum predicts automation and AI will impact millions of jobs.

The Fear of Uncertainty

• 65% of young Europeans fear an unstable future due to economic and climate crises (IPSOS 2024).• These fears manifest in resistance to change and hostility towards new generations.

• Presence of a natural harbor that closely resembles the one described by Homer. • Nuragic remains and menhirs (large standing stones) are found throughout Sardinia, often linked in popular tradition to giants — especially the famous “Giants’ Tombs”. • The Nuragic civilization, mysterious and ancient, may have inspired myths of giant, powerful peoples. • Strong historical connection to Phoenician trade routes across the western Mediterranean, possibly spreading stories and legends.

Reasons for this hypothesis:

In this piece, the music becomes loud, dissonant, and full of harsh sounds, almost as if trying to imitate the giants' cries and the destruction of the ships, conveying the idea of a brutal and destructive force.

"Don't you remember the savage Laestrygonians, as tall as a mountain peak?"

In the "Ulisse" (1968) by Italian composer Luigi Dallapiccola, the second scene of the first act, actually titled "Lotophages", aims to represent not only the encounter with the lotophages, but also a broader range of Odysseus's journey experiences that led him to face mythological monsters.

Immigration and Border Closures • Over 114 million people displaced worldwide in 2024 (UNHCR). • EU’s Dublin Regulation, which places undue strain on Mediterranean countries. • US-Mexico border wall symbolizes rejection of migrants. • In 2023, over 3,000 lives lost trying to cross the Mediterranean (IOM).

Intolerance and Rejection of Diversity• 7,000+ hate crimes in Europe in 2023 (Amnesty International).• 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ individuals in Italy faced homophobia (ISTAT 2024).• 20% of students worldwide experience bullying for their differences (UNESCO).

Astronomy

Catastrophic space events

In astronomy, the Lestrygonians from Homer’s Odyssey can symbolize destructive cosmic forces. Their sudden and violent attack on Odysseus’ fleet resembles catastrophic space events such as asteroid impacts or supernova explosions, which can obliterate everything in their path. This comparison highlights the unpredictability and immense power of the universe, much like the mythological giants who showed no mercy to their victims.

Konstantinos Kavafis

"Laestrygonians and Cyclops, angry Poseidon – you will not fear them, if you hold your thought high, if a fine emotion touches your spirit and your body. Laestrygonians and Cyclops, wild Poseidon – you will never find them unless you bring them along inside your soul, unless your soul sets them up before you."

The "Ithaca" poem

In 1911, at the age of forty-eight, Kavafis wrote the poem Ithaca, considered his masterpiece. His poetry is introspective and nostalgic, embracing a tragic view of human destiny and speaking of the restlessness inherent in humankind.

For the poet, the meaning of the journey lies in the journey itself and the countless incidents, chance occurrences, and unexpected events that mark its path. The obstacles encountered along the way take on the appearance of mythological creatures, such as the Laestrygonians and the Cyclops.

From "Ithaca" by K. Kavafis

Laestrygonians is the eighth episode of the second part of Joyce's masterpiece Ulysses (1920), in which food (or rather, voracity) and desire are dominant themes. The main character enters a pub, where the noisy and greedy crowd brings to mind the mythical anthropophagous monsters. Through the theme of cannibalism, the destructive nature of modern society is explored; the crowd in the pub is seen as a hungry and consumeristic entity that devours everything it encounters. This episode is therefore a complex and powerful allegory for the human condition and the voracity of modern society.

James Joyce's

"Ulysses"

“This is the very worst hour of the day. Vitality. Dull, dark: what a horror it is! It is like being eaten and vomited.”

Odissea DIECI is a play that tells the story of the journey that leads Odysseus and his companions to leave the home of Aeolus, king of the winds, to arrive first in the land of the Laestrygonians and finally on the island of Aeaea. Through storytelling, acting, and music, the play offers a lively reflection on our own times and renews attention on the value we give to our companions in pursuing a collective salvation. The subtitle is also significant: 'Man lives by Hunger and Love, man dies by them'.

ODISSEADIECI (2022)

Matteo Pecorini & Tommaso Ferrini

An ancient port area associated with myths of giants and linked by some historians to the Lestrygonians.

Formia (Lazio, Italy)

A region with steep cliffs and narrow passages resembling Homer’s description.

Bonifacio Strait (Corsica)

Vito Introna & Loriana Lucciarini

Sulle tracce dei Lestrigoni

This book explores the theme of the "shadows" we carry within us and the difficulties we encounter on our journey of growth; the Laestrygonians become a metaphor for the fears, doubts, insecurities, and obstacles we might face in life. The story thus outlines a journey of self-discovery and focuses on how to face the 'challenges' that life presents, learning to recognize and manage our inner and outer 'Laestrygonians'.