A city of the Kikones (Cicones) in Thrace.
The exact location of Ismarus has not been determined but the geographer Strabo gave some specific details as to the surrounding cities and landmarks. When Odysseus described his adventure at Ismarus, it seems clear that the city was at the edge of the sea. The following map uses Strabo's observations with Xantheia, Maroneia, and Lake Ismaris as clues to Ismarus' likely location.
With Troy in ruins, Odysseus sailed west to Ismarus and sacked the city. He proudly related how he and his comrades had killed the men, enslaved the women and taken everything of value. Odysseus wanted to leave as quickly as possible but his men insisted on drinking and feasting to celebrate their triumph. The following morning, the neighboring Kikones attacked Odysseus and killed six men from each ship before they could escape.
One fortunate decision Odysseus made while ravaging Ismarus was to spare the priest of Apollon named Maro, as well as his wife and child. Maro gave Odysseus valuable gifts including seven talents of gold, a silver mixing-bowl, and twelve jars of divinely sweet wine. The wine was irresistible and one cup had to be mixed with twenty measures of water to be consumed safely. Odysseus used this unmixed wine to befuddle the cyclopes son of the god Poseidon, Polyphemos (Polyphemus). Odysseus and twelve of his men were being held captive by Polyphemos and Odysseus used his guile to trick the cyclopes into drinking the potent wine. Polyphemos drank the wine and lapsed into a state of unconsciousness. As the otherwise invincible giant lay helpless, Odysseus attacked and blinded him. Poseidon swore revenge for the mutilation of his son and punished Odysseus with hardships and sorrow for ten years.
Approximate:
Latitude North, Longitude East
40.995930, 25.272386
| References: Homer, Odyssey book 9, lines 40 and 198 Apollodorus, Epitome 7.2 Strabo, Geography fragments of book 7.43 (44) |