The necromantic nature of the episode has tempted some to see real-world nekuomanteîa as foundational for Homer’s Underworld. But the seeming conflation of the two has led to very different ways of localizing the scene. In my analysis I will treat the whole of the episode as authentic, and in particular I do not consider the presence of both necromantic and catabatic elements to be poetically problematic. The seeming disjunction between necromancy and catabasis in the Homeric episode, as well as suspicions of interpolation for such sections as the catalogue of women, the punishment of sinners, and the appearance of Heracles, has encouraged scepticism about the unity of Odyssey XI. I - The Homeric Underworldĥ As has long been recognized, Book XI of the Odyssey seems to begin as a necromancy (the summoning of shades of the dead) before evolving into a kat á basis (a heroic journey to the Underworld by a mortal). By considering the diversity of ways in which the Homeric Underworld has been conceptualized, we can better frame our own approach to the Odyssey ’s underworld episode. Scholarship has often explored the underworld episode’s provenance in the real world and its abstract cosmography. Professionals as well as amateurs are interested in the spatial aspects of the Homeric poem 6. Purves, Space (.)Ĥ Though localization can be simplistic, it exists on a continuous spectrum with Homeric research, which, after all, is another form of reception.

6 For a well theorized study of spatial perspective in the Odyssey ’s narrative, see A.

I will start with a close reading of the Underworld in the Odyssey before turning to cosmographical localization, geographical localization, and finally popular localization. By comparing and contrasting the diverse ways in which the Homeric Underworld has been conceptualized, we can better frame our own approach to the Odyssey ’s underworld episode. Methods of connecting the wanderings to Mediterranean places vary greatly, but recurring tendencies are discernible. Homerists have theorized about the real world provenance of Odysseus’ journey and explored its cosmographical implications. This was not idle whimsy ancient localization involved serious matters of origins and genealogy 5. I refer not just to geographers like Eratosthenes and Strabo 4 Greek and Roman inhabitants of Italy and Sicily believed that Odysseus had visited their lands. The ancients habitually linked the wanderings of Odysseus to locations in the Mediterranean. Their arguments may not persuade us, but their method is comparable to other conceptions of the relation of the journey of Odysseus to the real world. Popular localizers lead their readers through a close (if tendentious) reading of the wanderings, and they often reference relevant ancient testimony. , p. 4‑5, where ancient and modern localization are conflated as equally « (.)ģ « Why bother ? », you may ask 3.

Romm, The Edges of the Earth in Ancient Thought, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1992 (.) Concentrating on Odysseus’ journey to the Underworld, I will explore how the geography and spatiality of the wanderings of Odysseus have been variously conceptualized. Between these extremes of real-world localization and mental mapping lie a wide variety of arguments, with different implications about the Homeric epic. Others forego reality and theorize about the abstract cosmography implied by Odysseus’ journey to the Hades. But many since Antiquity have localized the Odyssean Underworld, or at least its entrance. And Hades is a supernatural place : how could one discover its location ? Indeed, those intent on following in the wake of Odysseus, no matter how enthusiastic, often steer clear of the Underworld 1. The Odyssey is vague about how Odysseus reaches the Underworld its description of Hades is sketchy.

1 On ancient and modern localization of Odysseus’ journey, see my webpage « In the Wake of Odysseus (.)ġ Locating the Odyssey ’s Underworld would seem to be a ridiculous endeavor.

The kingdom of the dead odyssey