EXPLANATION.

AEolus, according to Servius and Varro, was the son of Hippotas, and
about the time of the Trojan war reigned in those islands, which
were formerly called 'Vulcaniae,' but were afterwards entitled
'AEoliae,' and are now known as the Lipari Islands. Homer mentions
only one of these islands, which were seven in number. He calls it
by the name of AEolia, and probably means the one which was called
Lipara, and gave its name to the group, and which is now known as
Strombolo. AEolus seems to have been a humane prince, who received
with hospitality those who had the misfortune to be cast on his
island. Diodorus Siculus says that he was especially careful to warn
strangers of the shoals and dangerous places in the neighbouring
seas. Pliny adds, that he applied himself to the study of the winds,
by observing the direction of the smoke of the volcanos, with which
the isles abounded.

Being considered as an authority on that subject, at a time when
navigation was so little reduced to an art, the poets readily
feigned that he was the master of the winds, and kept them pent up
in caverns, under his control. The story of the winds being
entrusted to Ulysses, which Ovid here copies from Homer, is merely a
poetical method of saying, that Ulysses disregarded the advice of
AEolus, and staying out at sea beyond the time he had been
recommended, was caught in a violent tempest. It is possible that
Homer may allude to some custom which prevailed among the ancients,
similar to that of the Lapland witches in modern times, who pretend
to sell a favourable wind, enclosed in a bag, to mariners. Homer
speaks of the six sons and six daughters of AEolus; perhaps they were
the twelve principal winds, upon which he had expended much pains in
making accurate observations.

Bochart suggests that the isle of Lipara was called by the
Phoenicians 'Nibara,' on account of its volcano, (that word
signifying 'a torch,') which name was afterwards corrupted to
Lipara.

FABLE V. [XIV.248-319]

Achaemenides lands in the isle of Circe, and is sent to her palace
with some of his companions. Giving them a favourable reception, she
makes them drink of a certain liquor; and, on her touching them with
a wand, they are immediately transformed into swine. Eurylochus, who
has refused to drink, informs Ulysses, who immediately repairs to
the palace, and obliges Circe to res