Study Guide Answers

Odysseus tells the Phaeacians his tale about what happened at the Cicones. His men plundered the area until reinforcements arrive, resulting in Odysseus' loss of something like 6 men per ship. This made Zeus angry, which results in his sending a storm that throws Odysseus' ship to the land of the Lotus-Eaters.

In Book IX, Odysseus and his men reach the island of the Lotos Eaters, a peaceful people who eat the sweet, pleasure-producing plant, the Lotus. Three of Odysseus' men eat the Lotus and wish to remain there, but Odysseus forces them back on to the ship and sails off again.