Ismarus (Thrace)
Thracian city raided by Odysseus in the Odyssey.
Ismarus was a city of the Cicones in ancient Thrace. It is notable for its appearance in Homer's Odyssey, where Odysseus and his crew raided the town after the Trojan War.
Quick Facts
- Region
- Thrace
- People
- Cicones
- Mentioned in
- Homer's Odyssey
- Lake
- Ismaris (identified with modern Lake Mitrikon)
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Ismarus was situated on a mountain of the same name, east of Lake Ismaris.
- Pliny the Elder referred to the town as Ismaron; Virgil called it Ismara.
- The district about Ismarus produced wine that was highly esteemed.
Homeric Ismarus
In Book 9 of the Odyssey, after leaving Troy, Odysseus and his men were blown off course to Ismaros. They sacked the town, killed most men, and divided the women and plunder. Despite Odysseus' advice to leave immediately, they began to feast. Fugitives from the raid roused other Cicones living inland, who gathered an army and attacked the next morning. Odysseus escaped but lost several men. While at Ismaros, he spared Maron, the priest of Apollo, and his family. In gratitude, Maron gave Odysseus a goatskin bottle of strong black wine, gold, and a mixing bowl. Odysseus later used this wine to lull the Cyclops Polyphemus to sleep.
More in Polyphemus
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