---
title: Odysseus and the Sirens
author: Trustees of the British Museum
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/998/odysseus-and-the-sirens/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2024-10-14
---

# Odysseus and the Sirens

_Authored by Trustees of the British Museum_

## Image File

[![Odysseus and the Sirens](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/998.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/998.jpg)

## Image Caption

An Attic red-figure stamnos, depicting the myth of [Odysseus](https://www.worldhistory.org/odysseus/) tied to his ship's mast in order to resist the enchanting song of the Sirens. The episode occurs during the hero's long voyage home to Ithaka following the end of the [Trojan War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Trojan_War/). Interestingly, the vase shows one [Siren](https://www.worldhistory.org/Siren/) descending into the sea which possibly references the legend that the Sirens would die if any sailors ever successfully escaped their clutches. From [Vulci](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vulci/) c. 480-450 BCE.

The British Museum, London.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Museum, T. o. t. B. (2012, December 29). Odysseus and the Sirens. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/998/odysseus-and-the-sirens/>
### Chicago
Museum, Trustees of the British. "Odysseus and the Sirens." *World History Encyclopedia*, December 29, 2012. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/998/odysseus-and-the-sirens/>.
### MLA
Museum, Trustees of the British. "Odysseus and the Sirens." *World History Encyclopedia*, 29 Dec 2012, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/998/odysseus-and-the-sirens/>.

## License & Copyright

© Trustees of the [British Museum](http://www.britishmuseum.org/). Republished under the British Museum [Standard Terms of Use](http://www.britishmuseum.org/about_this_site/terms_of_use.aspx) for non-profit educational purposes. [Original image](http://www.britishmuseum.org/system_pages/beta_collection_introduction/beta_collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=399666&partId=1&searchText=Red-Figure+stamnos&page=1) by [**Trustees of the British Museum**](http://www.britishmuseum.org/system_pages/beta_collection_introduction/beta_collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=399666&partId=1&searchText=Red-Figure+stamnos&page=1). Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 29 December 2012. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.