Vortices in homer’s odyssey – A scientific approach

Abstract

The traditional approach to study Homeric epics is philological and philosophical in nature. This paper takes a forensic route to mythology elaborating on some of the accounts via the use of contemporary scientific knowledge. In particular, it will deal with the oldest clear report of two vortices found in Odyssey. First, it will examine the tidal whirlpool Charybdis [Book XII]. Based on a recent mathematical analysis of the phenomenon, we will further validate some of the exceedingly skillful navigational abilities of the ancient Greek sailors. Second, it will consider the river cisterns in the island of Phaeacians [Book VI] where princess Nausicaa and her ladies-in-waiting use the vortex action to wash clothes. The presently experimental and theoretical knowledge on cavity hydrodynamics provides a lucid picture of the four-dimensional structure of the flow, thus identifying the cause and details behind the efficacy of the method.