the Phaeacians

• once the neighbours of the Cyclopes
• Cyclopes taken advantage of their greater strength to ravage their land
• Phaeacians fled to Scherie, a land far from ordinary people
• not known in any other myths
• Homer may have invented it as a bridge between fantasy world of the travels and reality of Ithaca
• Nausicaa tells Odysseus that their land is remote and they don't come into contact with anyone else
• stark contrast in xenia to Cyclopes and Suitors - both despise xenia laws
• idyllic country with flowing lands and a constant supply of perfect fruit
• city is beautiful with its lavishly decorated palace, a meeting place with marble seats, and fine temples
• their civilisation is refined, with banquets, a bard and elegant dancing
• don't have bows or quivers
• spend their time sailing
• ships even guide themselves
• women are outstandingly skilled at the loom and very intelligent
• domestic life is harmonious - seen by kindly Alcinous, his wool-making wife, Arete, their godlike sons and the smart Nausicaa
• Odysseus is warned to keep himself out of view - people have little affection for strangers
• great sailors but have no contact with other peoples
• temple is dedicated to Poseidon
• when Odysseus arrives as a suppliant, Alcinous has to be reminded that a suppliant shouldn't be left sitting in the hearth
• Arete insists that Odysseus secure his treasure lest the Phaeacian crew steal something
• Alcinous announces that the gifts will have to be paid for through a collection from the people