Polyphemus is taunted by Odysseus and advances to attack his ships. Etching after J.M.W. Turner.

In the Odyssey, Polyphemus was the son of the god Poseidon, and one of the race of cyclopes, giant one-eyed shepherds who inhabited an island later identified as Sicily. When Odysseus (Ulysses) and twelve of his men made landfall there, they entered Polyphemus's cave and were captured by the giant who ate two of the men. The next morning he devoured two more, and another two for his evening meal. He asked Odysseus his name and was answered, "Noman". Odysseus gave the giant strong wine to drink; and when the giant fell asleep they put out his eye with a sharpened stake. Upon leaving, he shouted to Polyphemus that it was Odysseus who had blinded him. Polyphemus then throw boulders at the ship