Born a minor goddess with little influence, Circe had to manifest her own power through witchcraft—unlike the other gods, whose powers are innate to their immortal souls. Spells and magic were unnatural to them, and for her otherness, Circe was banished by Zeus to live alone on the island Aeaea.

Now and then, a lost ship would arrive on Circe’s shores and break her isolation. More often than not, the crew was made up of cruel and lustful men who would not hesitate to take advantage of a woman living alone. Unwilling to sacrifice her safety for their comfort, Circe sensed their intentions before they could act, and cast a spell to transform these men into pigs.