Part II
AS TOLD BY ODYSSEUS
Having set sail from Troy, the Ithacans stopped at Ismarus, only to be routed by the returning armies. They escaped, and arrived next at the Land of the Lotus-Eaters. His men were offered Lotus-fruit, which rendered them apathetic. Odysseus coerced them back onto the ships, and they sailed to a new island.
Here they discovered an abundance of sheep, milk and cheese in a cave. They took too long to steal it, and the shepherd returned: a fearsome cyclops named Polyphemus. He ate two of the crew, and imprisoned the rest by blocking the cave entrance with a giant boulder.
Odysseus gave wine to Polyphemus. Polyphemus asked Odysseus his name, and Odysseus replied 'Nobody'. Polyphemus fell asleep, drunk. Odysseus' men took a piece of wood from the fire and rammed it into his eye. Polyphemus shouted that 'Nobody is killing me!', so his brothers ignored his cries for help.
The following morning, the men concealed themselves beneath the sheep as Polyphemus led them from the cave. They stole the sheep and escaped, but in an act of hubris, Odysseus revealed his real name. Armed with Odysseus' real name, Polyphemus called on Poseidon to curse him.
