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Ismara (Ancient Greek: Ἴσμαρος) also Ismaros or Ismarus was an ancient Ciconian town on the Aegean coast of Thrace and supposedly was the city mentioned in the Odyssey. The Odyssey's Ismaros was not protected by walls, but historically Ismara is known to have had Cyclopean walls since 12th-13th century B.C., when the town was founded.[citation needed]
[edit] Homeric Ismaros
After their departure from Troy, Odysseus and his companions stop at Ismaros. They sack the town, situated on an island, and then engage in a fierce battle with the Cicones, the inhabitants of the adjacent region. They kill the men and divide the women and treasures among themselves and after that start to feast, although Odysseus proposes to leave. The Cicones, who in the meantime go for help, come back in the morning in great quantities. Odysseus manages to escape after heavy losses (losing 78 men) and embarks with the survivors to continue towards his homeland, Ithaca, but shortly after sailing they are caught in a northerly storm.
[edit] Sources
- Durando, Furio. Greece, a guide to the archaeological sites (2004).
