Goodisson, William: A historical and topographical essay upon the islands of Corfu, Leucadia, Cephalonia, Ithaka and Zante: with remarks upon the character manners and customs of the Ionian Greeks : descriptions of the scenery and remains of antiquity discovered therein, and reflections upon the Cyclopian ruins, illustrated by maps and sketches (London: Thomas and George Underwood, 1822)

PREFACE.

xi

The existence of the islands in which the action
of the Odyssey lies has been most discredited of
any of the geographical facts contained in Homer.
The whole scene has been impugned as fabulous,
together with the marvellous exploits of the hero
there related. Yet, that the poet should so far
wander from reality, in describing scenes which he
is reported * to have actually visited, is at least
improbable, considering the accuracy of his geo-
graphy in general.
An opportunity of residing in the Ionian islands
for some years could hardly have been neglected
by the author, as a source of amusement, to compare
the descriptions in the Odyssey with such local facts
* Herodotus, in the life of Homer attributed to him, relates, that
Homer was born at Smyrna; that he was early impressed with the de-
sire of travelling, and that he took the opportunity of the departure of
Mentes, who had arrived from the vicinity of Leucadia, a man of
learning and experience, to accompany him on his return. They
arrived in Ithaca where Mentes left Homer, now afflicted with ophthal-
mia, under the care of his friend, Mentor, until he had completed his
voyage to Leucadia. That the Ithacans related to the poet during
his residence amongst them, the exploits of Ulysses; that he grew
convalescent there, and prosecuted further voyages with Mentes
upon the return of the latter from Leucadia, and, that Homer, in gra-
titude for the benefits which he had received from Mentes and Mentor,
introduced them both into the action of the Odyssey.