Section 2, The Ciconians Summary

The Hellenes' voyage begins peacefully. On the second morning, they see a small village along the shore of an island. Savage from war, Ulysses' men want to attack. Ulysses does not want to risk spoiling their good luck by stopping. Eurylochus convinces Ulysses that the village is a gift from the gods, and Ulysses concedes. At Ulysses' command, the Hellenes land and the townspeople, the Ciconians, flee. Ulysses commands his men to take no slaves. The Hellenes sacrifice ten bulls to the gods. They feast and loot the village. The Ciconians gather in the hills and attack the Hellenes. The sentries warn the crew, causing the Hellenes to retreat to their ships. Ulysses shoots the Ciconian's horses to disable them from following, but six Hellenes from each ship are killed. Eurylochus offers himself as a sacrifice to appease the...