When they arrive at the land of the Cimmerians, Odysseus makes sacrifices. He digs a grave and pours blood into it allowing dead spirits to rise and speak to him. First he summons Elpenor, who asks Odysseus to bury his body and give him a funeral. Next he talks to Tiresias, who warns him that if he hurts Apollos gloden cows disaster will come upon his ship and crew. He also says that Odysseus will die of old age. Odysseus next speaks with his mother. She is shocked he has not yet returned to Ithaca and he asks about his wife, son, and father. She says that Penelope has not remarried, Telemachus is a fine young man, and Laertes is grieving his son. He cries and wishes she was still alive. He then speaks to many important mythical dead women who share their history with him. They include: Tyro, Antiope, Alcmene, Megara, Epicastes, Chloris, Leda, Iphimedeia, Phaedra, Procris, and Ariadne. Odysseus pauses in his story and Alcinous urges him to go on. He then speaks to Agamemnon, and Agamemnon tells him the terrible story of his murder. Then he speaks to Achilles, and Odysseus tells him about Achilles son. Achilles says he would rather be a poor living man than the king of the dead. He sees many very famous male heroes including King Minos. Finally he talks to Heracles.