Cicones facts for kids
The Cicones (say: Sih-KOH-neez) were an ancient tribe from Thrace, a region in what is now modern Greece. They are famous because they appear in the epic poems of Homer, especially the Odyssey. Their main town was called Ismara, located near Mount Ismara on the southern coast of Thrace.
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Who Were the Cicones?
The Cicones were a group of people living in Thrace during ancient times. They are known mainly from the writings of Homer, a famous Greek poet. Homer wrote about them in two of his most important works: the Iliad and the Odyssey.
The Cicones in the Trojan War
In Homer's Iliad, the Cicones are mentioned as allies of the Trojans. The Trojan War was a huge conflict between the Trojans and the Greeks. The Cicones joined the Trojans to fight against the Greeks. Their leader during this war was a man named Euphemus.
Odysseus's Encounter with the Cicones
The Cicones play a bigger role in Homer's Odyssey. This epic poem tells the story of Odysseus's long journey home after the Trojan War.
The Attack on Ismara
After leaving Troy, Odysseus and his men first landed in the land of the Cicones. They attacked the Ciconian town of Ismara by surprise. Odysseus's men killed many of the Ciconian men they found. They also took a lot of treasure and supplies from the town.
Ciconian Counterattack
However, Odysseus's men stayed too long, celebrating their victory. This gave the Cicones time to call for help from their neighbors. Soon, many Ciconian reinforcements arrived. They launched a strong counterattack against Odysseus and his tired men.
The battle was fierce. The Cicones fought bravely and killed many of Odysseus's soldiers. Odysseus and his remaining men were forced to flee quickly in their ships. They lost six men from each of their ships during this fight. This was a tough start to Odysseus's long journey home.
What Happened to the Cicones?
After the time of Homer, the Cicones seem to disappear from historical records. In later ancient times, they are not mentioned much. Historians believe that the tribe likely disappeared or merged with other groups very early on.
Images for kids
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Approximate location of the Cicones in ancient Thrace.
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