Ancient history

Who or what is Ogygia in The Odyssey?

In Homer's Odyssey, Ogygia is the legendary island home of the beautiful nymph Calypso. According to the poem, Calypso keeps the shipwrecked Odysseus prisoner on Ogygia for seven long years, promising him immortality and eternal youth if he agrees to stay with her. Odysseus is torn between his desire to return home to Ithaca and his growing affection for Calypso, but ultimately he chooses to leave Ogygia and resume his journey.

The exact location of Ogygia is not specified in the Odyssey, and it has been the subject of much debate among scholars and historians. Some believe it may be based on a real island, such as Malta or Gozo, while others suggest it is a purely fictional place, representing the ideal of a peaceful and remote paradise.

Ogygia is a key setting in the Odyssey, as it is where Odysseus undergoes a significant portion of his personal growth and transformation. His time with Calypso tests his strength, loyalty, and commitment, and ultimately helps him to become the hero who will eventually defeat the suitors and reclaim his kingdom.