Everything Everywhere Daily · Sunday, August 2, 2026
While the modern island of Ithaca is widely accepted as Odysseus's kingdom, its geography contradicts descriptions in The Odyssey. This has led scholars like Robert Bilstone and John Underhill to propose the Palaki peninsula on Kefalonia as a more likely location.
“The specifics in the story have also led archaeologists and historians to try to prove some of its details.”
“Quote, "It lies low, furthest out to sea towards the sunset, while the other islands lie apart towards the dawn and the sun."”
“The modern Ionian island of Ithaca has long been celebrated as the hero's kingdom, but its geography doesn't match Homer's description.”
“Together, they proposed that the Palaki peninsula on the neighboring island of Kefalonia offers a far better match to the clues in the Odyssey.”