Ulysses had been sailing home to Ithaca after the Trojan war, following the siege of Troy when his ship was struck by tremendous thunderstorms. His shipmates all perished in the sea storms and for nine days and nights Ulysses battled the unrelenting tempest single-handedly.
Finally, he was washed ashore clinging to debris from the ship in the direction of an unfamiliar island, brimming with beautiful flowers and with trees laden with bountiful fruits – the island of Ogygia, or as many believe: the island of Gozo.
Lured by the song of the beautiful nymph Calypso, Ulysses ventured into a cave high up in the cliffs to have some rest. It was here that he met Calypso, the daughter of Jupiter, the God of War, and the Queen of Ogygia – who enchanted Ulysses.
Calypso was a captivating, beautiful nymph offering Ulysses all the food, wine, love and power any man could ever wish for. Although, according to the legend, Ulysses’ dearly wanted to return to Ithaca, his homeland, Penelope his wife, and Telamon his son.
Calypso offered Ulysses her island’s kingdom, eternal youth and happiness and it is said that he remained spellbound under her influence for seven long years, until the gods took pity on him and ordered the nymph to release him. After Ulysses was released he built a boat and set sail towards his home, Ithaca.