Greek mythology is filled with tales of gods, heroes, and formidable monsters. Amidst these captivating narratives, One fascinating tale is that of Scylla and Charybdis. These two renowned sea monsters from Greek mythology notably operated in tandem on opposing shores of a narrow strait. This treacherous passage was traversed by several vessels, including those of Odysseus and Aeneas.
In this blog post, we delve into the tale of Scylla and Charybdis, shedding light on the Greek hero Odysseus’s ingenious escape from these menacing adversaries, as chronicled in Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey.
Between Scylla and Charybdis (Ancient Greek Idiom)
The fusion of Scylla and Charybdis gave birth to the ancient Greek saying “between Scylla and Charybdis,” which later transformed into the more widely used expression, “between a rock and a hard place.”
Both Scylla and Charybdis symbolized the perils faced by Greek sailors when they initially explored the unfamiliar territories of the western Mediterranean. To be “between Scylla and Charybdis” signifies finding oneself trapped between two equally undesirable options.
Scylla and Charybdis in Greek Mythology
Scylla and Charybdis symbolize the ever-present hazards and the need for skill and divine intervention when navigating treacherous waters.
Charybdis in Greek Legend
Charybdis was often regarded as the daughter of the primordial deities Pontus (Sea) and Gaia (Earth). Some variations, though less common, attributed her parentage to Poseidon and Gaia instead.
More than just a minor goddess of tides; Charybdis personified a monstrous, colossal whirlpool capable of wreaking havoc on the seas. Thrice daily, Charybdis would draw in vast volumes of water and then forcefully expel it, posing a grave threat to passing ships and giving rise to tumultuous tides.
While Charybdis was typically depicted as born monstrous, certain myths recount her transformation into a monster at the hands of Zeus. One story suggests that her transformation occurred after she stole cattle belonging to Heracles, Zeus’s favored mortal son. Alternatively, her transformation took place when she assisted Poseidon in expanding his dominion at the expense of Zeus’s territory by flooding additional land.
In some versions of Greek mythology, Charybdis was believed to be the mother of Scylla, born of her union with Phorcys, a narrative made more plausible if Charybdis was also associated with the monstrous creature known as Ceto Trienos.
Scylla in Greek Legend
Scylla is usually considered the daughter of the early sea god Phorcys and his partner Ceto, making her a sister to various other sea monsters, including the Graeae and the Gorgons. She was particularly renowned for her monstrous appearance, often described as having six heads full of sharp teeth, and twelve terrifying feet. Sailors approaching her lair were met with her barking, akin to a dog.
Scylla’s habitat was believed to be a rocky outcrop or underwater reef where her deadly “teeth” could shred the hulls of passing ships. While she was typically portrayed as monstrous, like her counterparts, some later accounts narrate her transformation from a beautiful water nymph into a horrifying creature.
One myth about her transformation involved Amphitrite, the wife of Poseidon, who grew jealous of Poseidon’s affection for Scylla. To exact revenge, Amphitrite poisoned the pool in which Scylla bathed daily, thus leading to her transformation.
In another famous tale, the sorceress Circe played a pivotal role in Scylla’s metamorphosis. Glaucus, a sea god in love with Scylla, sought a love potion from Circe but inadvertently received a poison that changed Scylla into a monster.
Scylla And Charybdis Working Together
In Greek mythology, Scylla and Charybdis were typically portrayed as separate and opposing threats, each with its own dangers to sailors navigating the narrow strait they inhabited. Scylla was depicted as a multi-headed sea monster that would attack ships, while Charybdis was represented as a formidable whirlpool that could engulf vessels.
However, there are variations in the myths where Scylla and Charybdis could be seen as working together in the sense that they were both part of the same perilous passage. These two hazards were situated on opposite sides of the strait, making it nearly impossible for ships to pass between them without encountering danger.
The most well-known location for the lair of Scylla and Charybdis is the Strait of Messina, situated between mainland Italy and the island of Sicily. While the strait does experience some water movement and currents, it is not as lethal as the myths suggest.
Scylla and Charybdis in The Odyssey
In Homer’s epic poem, the Odyssey, Scylla and Charybdis play a pivotal role in delaying the journey of Odysseus following the end of the Trojan War. When Odysseus and his crew approach the perilous strait, they receive conflicting advice from the goddess Circe. She suggests that it is wiser to navigate closer to Scylla, as losing only six men to her six heads is preferable to risking the entire ship to the whirlpool Charybdis.
Following Circe’s counsel, Odysseus ordered his ship to sail closer to Scylla’s lair, hoping to minimize the losses. Unfortunately, as they pass between the two deadly hazards, Scylla snatches six of Odysseus’ best men with her six heads, leaving the rest of the crew horrified.
Having narrowly escaped Scylla, the crew lands on Sicily and slaughters sacred cattle belonging to Hyperion, one of the 12 Titans. In response, Zeus sent a storm that destroyed the ship and killed most of the crew. Only Odysseus survived by clinging to flotsam. However, another storm carried him back to Charybdis, where he faced near-certain death.
Odysseus’s resourcefulness and determination allowed him to grasp an overhanging fig tree’s limb, and then he waited for Charybdis to expel him safely. Soon after, Odysseus washed ashore on Ogygia, where the beautiful nymph Calypso nursed him for seven years before he continued his journey home.
Scylla and Charybdis in Other Greek Myths
One famous encounter with Scylla and Charybdis involved Jason and the Argonauts during their quest for the Golden Fleece. With the aid of Hera and Athena, who supported Jason’s mission, Thetis and other Nereids guided the Argo safely between these monstrous perils.
Another notable Greek myth was that of the legendary hero Heracles. It was said that Scylla had stolen cattle from Heracles, but her actions didn’t go unnoticed. Heracles tracked her down and killed her for her audacity. However, some versions of the myth suggest that Phorcys, Scylla’s father, managed to resurrect her, allowing her to continue menacing unwary sailors.
These mythical tales served as cautionary stories for sailors, highlighting the dangers of the sea and the unpredictable challenges they might face during their voyages.