LAESTRYGONIAN (giant cannibal of the Laestrygonians)
Monster · giant cannibal tribe mentioned in the Odyssey
- Haunts and cult places
- Telepylos
- In the sources
- 8 ancient passages
The Laestrygonians were ogres of gigantic size who dwelt in the rocky stronghold of Lamus, also called Telepylus.1,2,3,4 Their land lay in the West, where abundant desolation always dwells.5 Some of these beings lived around Mount Aetna and Leontini, while others inhabited the city of Telepylus.6,4 They drew firewood from mountains into their town via a level road and brought water from the fountain Artacia.7
Inhospitable to strangers, the Laestrygonians included Antiphates, whose wife was a giantess as huge as a mountain.6,7 When Odysseus arrived, they threw massive rocks at the ships from the cliffs.1 They killed all the men remaining in the harbour and destroyed all of Odysseus's ships and crews except his own vessel.1,4 Abundant desolation always dwells in the land of the Laestrygonians.5
The codex facts behind this entry
They are described as ogres rather than ordinary men. Odyssey 10 ¶11
In the myths
They threw massive rocks at the ships from the cliffs. Odyssey 10 ¶11 They killed all the men remaining in the harbour. Odyssey 10 ¶11 The Laestrygonians destroyed all of Odysseus's ships and crews except his own vessel. Odyssey 23 ¶27
