July 23: Travel Month

The most well known of the Echinades islands must be Ithaka, were Odysseus was king. The archipelago originates from nymphs, whose names are long forgotten, but not their sin. It was on a glorious, sunny afternoon, that river god Acheloös noticed five nymphs approaching his banks. He smiled as he saw them dancing and singing, carrying woven baskets filled with flowers, herbs and flat cakes. One after the other prayed with high pitched voice and threw her offering into his waters. They had gifts for Zeus of course, for Poseidon, Apollo, Athena, Demeter, Hestia,… They went on and on, while Acheloös patiently waited for his turn. He was already thinking about the favour he would grant them, when they abruptly ended the ritual and walked away. The humiliation! Acheloös’ anger rose with his waters, he overflew the banks, swept the nymphs from their feet and into the ocean. Where they transformed into the Echinade-islands, with clearly some petrified toes, hands and elbows sticking out, which is why they’re also known as “Sharp Islands”.

Acheloös (Villa Giulia, Rome), Musée du Louvre-Lens, Lens, France

Sacrifice Scene from Corinth, National Museum of Athens, Greece

Did you know?

• About Acheloös: cfr. “Afloat”, “Springtime”.

• About Odysseus: cfr. “The Lady in Blue”.

• Historically, the Echinades were called Oxeiai, meaning “Sharp Islands”.