Greek World - The Odyssey By Homer Part 3. Circe, the Sorceress of Aeaea Aeolus, the master of the winds, resides on the floating island of Aeolia. He is portrayed as a hospitable ruler who receives Odysseus warmly and provides him with a critical aid for his voyage: a leather bag containing all the winds that might drive his ships off course, leaving only the West Wind free to guide them safely to Ithaca. As Odysseus and his men sail back to Ithaca, they come within sight of their homeland. However, as Odysseus sleeps, his crew, driven by curiosity and greed and suspecting that the bag contains gold and silver given by Aeolus to Odysseus, opens it. The released winds storm out, driving them violently away from their home and back to Aeolia. When they return, Aeolus refuses to assist them further, believing that their misfortune must be a sign of the gods’ displeasure. Circe, the Sorceress of Aeaea After their disastrous detour, Odysseus and his crew reach the island of Aeaea, ho...