Odysseus's Ithaca: The Discovery

Informed hypothesis, empirical investigation, wishful thinking and sheer fantasy; each researcher has formed his own opinion of the location of Homer's Ithaca. Berislav Brckovic, author of Odysseus's Ithaca: The Discovery, believes he has the proof that is needed to end the controversy and unveil the true location of the legendary Ithaca.

"In their textual analysis of this epic, philologists have so far been unsuccessful in noticing what was most important, that the Odyssey, among other things, also includes facts on the real Ithaca, to which Homer leads us intentionally with the ingenious idea of the return on Odysseus from Troy by ship, and of that of his son Telemachus from Nelean Pylos, to Ithaca by sea at the very end of their travels," wrote Brckovic.

Brckovic studied each line of the Odyssey carefully and provided his interpretation of Homer's epic poem as it pertains to the true location of Ithaca. Brckovic contended that if each aspect of Homer's description of Ithaca were to be taken separately, as its own clue, the precise location could be determined through the characteristics and context within the poem.

"When this is known, it is easy to realize that individual epithets, attributes or indeed any designation of Ithaca in the Odyssey refer to or match a precisely determined aspect, and according to the meaning or sense indicate an actual characteristic of this aspect, that is, of Ithaca," wrote Brckovic. "In short, all the designations of Ithaca precisely match a real characteristic of the given aspect of Ithaca, or rather, the ancient Ithaca."

Brckovic examined the natural characteristics of ancient Ithaca, however changed over time they may have been, and was able to identify a region of the island of Cephallonia as the actual homeland of Odysseus. Included in his study was Homer's knowledge of orientation as was seen in Odysseus's skillful navigation to his home by way of the sky.

"Sailing towards Ithaca at night from the island of the nymph Calypso, on a ship he had constructed himself, Odysseus skillfully steers by following the stars, or more precisely, a characteristic groups of stars," wrote Brckovic.

Of great importance, according to Brckovic, were the instructions Athena gave to Odysseus's son Telemachus about his return trip to Ithaca as pertained to the ambush laid by Penelope's suitors. By using these instructions and interpreting certain events, Brckovic maps out Telemachus's journey as part of his evidence.

"Significant guidelines for this sea voyage are that: it takes place in two opposite directions along the same sea route," wrote Brckovic. "It takes place in a real geographic setting, and proceeds, and this must be taken into consideration, in absolute accordance with the poet's idea of Telemachus's return to Ithaca from Neleian Pylos, particularly with the part of his conception that includes Athena's instruction."

Infused with breathtaking photos and vivid descriptions, anyone who has read the Odyssey will find this book fascinating. The interpretations of the lines of the Odyssey alone are of value, but combined with research on ancient times and geography, this book is an invaluable source for students and academia alike.

Brckovic concluded that if all the parts of the Odyssey were translated correctly, then reconnected and verified, the location of the illusive island home of Odysseus could be pinpointed. Identifying specific lines in the Odyssey and interpreting them as well as using references to groups of islands, the archipelago where these islands were and facts about Ithaca itself, Brckovic believed he had succeeded and put forth his theory in a well written, compelling presentation.