Book 12

Dear family and friends,

After our year on Circes island we were sent to the underworld where we talked to Tiresias. the blind prophet warned us that death and destruction lay ahead if we are not careful. Circe warned us about many dangers, but Odysseus and I decided only to tell our crew one step at a time, in order not to scare them. First, we sailed by the island of the sirens. Their beautiful voices make a man forget about his desire to return home until they lure them into the water. In order to avoid this we filled the mens ears with beeswax and urged them to row as fast as possible. Odysseus and I however were tied to the mast so we could experience their songs.

Next, we were headed towards Thrinacia, the island of the sun god Helios. And there, trouble began. I tried as hard as I could to persuade the men not to stop at the island. However they were blind sighted by hunger and determined to stop. To our dismay our crew feasted on Helios' cattle, and this angered him.

In order to appease the god, Zeus sent down a thunder bolt that struck all of our men and our ship. They were all killed and Odysseus and I were the only ones to survive. Eventually we drifted to Ogygia, the island of Calypso where we stayed for seven years.

This journey is talking to long, I want to return home....

Arista Astra

Book 10 part 2

I expected to arrive sooner, but we had yet another delay.

Our crew stopped on the island of Laestrygones. There we split into two groups, one group, let by Eurylochus left the ship to explore. While another groupd led by Odysseus and I remained on the boats. Eurylochus returned very frantic and afraid. He hurridly told us that Circe had put something in the mens food to make them lose desire or thought of home. Following that, the men turned into pigs and Circe rushed them into the pigsty. Eurylochus however, was suspicious of the goddess so he did not eat her vile meal, and therefore had time to escape back to the boat.

Despite Eurylochus's wishes to leave, Odysseus and I scrambled to save all the men. On the way we ran into Hermes who gave us moly, a magical plant to protect us from her power. He also warned us that we must make Circe swear to play no witches tricks.

As soon as we entered her palace, Circe wasted not time attempting to drug us. However her honeyed wine did not affect us because we were protected by the moly. Odysseus then drew his sword which made Circe plea for her life. After revealing his identity, Circe was intruiged to his status. She then successfully bribed him into entering her flawless bed of love. While they were busy I desperately searched the palace for my men. After Odysseus' bath we gathered the men and set off for sea once again.

Arista Astra

Book 10 part 1

To all my dear friends in Ithica,

We are close to home! About a month ago, Odysseus, the crew and I landed on the island Aeolus the Wind King. He was extremely generous and hospitable as we rested there. Before we departed he gave us two parting gifts. The first was a fair west wind that gently blew our ships toward Ithica. Secondly he gave Odysseus and I a bag holding all of the unwanted stormy winds. And with that, we departed.

Then we had a tragic setback. We were not too far from one night, when the crew let their curiousity overtake them. Odysseus was sleeping so I was left to oversee the men. They thought the bag was filled with gold and silver; and as much as I tried to stop them they persisted. To my dismay, the bag was opened and all the unfavorable winds we had been holding blew us back to Aeolus's island.

Arriving at his island for a second time, Aeolus refuse to help us because he believed our voyage had been cursed by the gods.

My storys not done, but it's getting late so I'll write again tomorrow....

Book 9

Salvete familia quod amicitia,

Odysseus is getting on my last nerve! He's always trying to push me around tell us what to do. He thinks he knows whats best but all of his "genious ideas" always backfire. Once we left Troy, Odysseus, the men and I landed near the island Ismarus. The Cicones inhabit the island, and they are allies of the Trojans, making them enemies of Odysseus. Instead of swallowing his pride and moving on Odysseus forced us to raid and kill the people of this island. In the long run, seventy two of our men were killed and the rest of us were driven out to sea. We then had to battle a storm for two days before we could continue our journey.

We found the land of the Cyclopes, and across the bay from their we discovered a lush, deserted island. For the next couple days we enjoyed ourselves, feasting on wild goat and wine. The men and I were content with moving on; but of course odysseus, "our great leader" made us go investigate the Cyclopes mainland. As we walked into the Cyclopes cave they were no where to be found. We assumed they were out in the fields, however to did find food. But the Cyclopes returned sooner then we expected and we had to hide. He soon discovered us and after lying about our identities the Cyclopes quickly ate two of our men. They did not show any hispitality, instead they insulted us and kept us captive, locked inside the cave by a rock.

The next morning, after a few more of our men were made into breakfast, Odyseus devised a plan to escape. We got the Cyclopes drunk, and once he was stumbling around, Odysseus stabbed him in the eye. He then ran outside, looking for help, but we had tricked him about our name, so his fellow Cyclopses thought he was fine. To escape the cave we strapped ourselves under the bellies of sheep and rode out of the opening. Once in the field, we detatched from the sheep and ran to the ship. Odysseus may look like a hero, but this whole situation is really his fault. Although he was quick to think, he didn't save any lives, he merely fixed what he had destroyed.

I'll write as soon as possible, wish me luck with Odysseus.

Valete, Aristra Astra

Book 1

My Dearest Family and Friends,

Alas we are free! I am sorry I havent written in a while, ten years to be exact. You see not long after our journey began the crew and I were captured on Calypso's island Ogygia. Calypso is a bewitching nymph, and trust me shes not very nice. She wanted to marry Odysseus, but with Athena's help we persuaded her to let us continue our journey home. After seven years on Ogygia we built a raft and the adventure continued.

As previous events have shown, luck was not on our side. Our raft was quickly destroyed by storms. Odysseus and I were the only survivors, and we were washed up on the land of the Phaecians. We were famished and lost, but the hospitable king Alcinous welcomed us into his palace.

So now, after ten years of sailing the Mediterranean Sea, Odysseus and I are here with the Phaecians. But I cant write any longer, a banquet is being held in our honor. I promise to write when time allows.

Yours truly, Arista Astra

Introduction

Hello Friends!
I am writing to tell you of my great fortune. As you know, I have travelled to Ithaca to study the grand city and its inhabitents. However, shorty after I arrived I ran into Odysseus, hero of the Trojan War, and he asked me to come on a journey with him. I am absolutely ecstatic, and in order to keep in contact with you I have decided to create a blog. This way I can keep you updated on my travels.

Sincerely, Arista Astra