Greek MythsHeroes

Odysseus and Aeolus

A king’s gift of wind turns to disaster when Odysseus’s crew lets greed steer the ship.

1 min read

3 characters

Illustration for Odysseus and Aeolus - a heroes Greek Myths story with moral lessons

1 min3

Story Summary

In the myth of Odysseus and Aeolus, a gift of wind becomes a curse of greed. Discover how a simple mistake cost Odysseus his journey home to Ithaca.

After escaping the Cyclops, Odysseus and his men reached the floating island of Aeolia, home to Aeolus, the Keeper of the Winds. Aeolus hosted the heroes for a month and, upon their departure, gifted Odysseus a leather bag tightly bound with silver wire. Inside were all the raging storm winds; only the gentle West Wind was left free to guide their ships home to Ithaca. For nine days, Odysseus stayed awake at the helm. However, as the shores of his homeland finally came into view, exhaustion overtook him. Seeing their captain sleep, his crew grew suspicious and greedy, believing the heavy bag contained gold and silver. They untied the silver wire, releasing the tempestuous winds in a violent explosion. The ships were driven back across the sea to Aeolia. When Odysseus begged for help once more, Aeolus coldly refused, declaring that the gods must surely hate a man so plagued by misfortune.

The Moral

Curiosity and greed can destroy the progress made through hard work, and a lack of trust within a team often leads to ruin.

“They loosed the stay, and all the winds rushed out.”

Fun Fact

In the original Odyssey, Aeolus lived with twelve children who were married to each other, a detail often omitted in modern retellings to simplify his character as a divine wind-master.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of Odysseus and Aeolus?

The story warns against the dangers of greed and the lack of communication between leaders and their teams. It shows how one moment of weakness or mistrust can undo years of effort and planning.

What was inside the bag Aeolus gave to Odysseus?

The leather bag contained all the winds of the world except for the West Wind, Zephyrus. Aeolus trapped the storm winds to ensure Odysseus would have a peaceful voyage back to Ithaca.

Why did the crew open the bag?

The crew believed that Odysseus was keeping secret treasures, like gold and silver, for himself. Driven by curiosity and envy, they opened the bag while Odysseus was asleep, hoping to share in the wealth.

Where is Aeolia located in Greek mythology?

Aeolia is described as a floating island surrounded by an unbreakable wall of bronze. It was the home of Aeolus, who lived there with his wife and twelve children in perpetual feasting.

Why did Aeolus refuse to help Odysseus a second time?

Aeolus believed that the disaster proved Odysseus was cursed by the gods. In ancient Greek culture, helping someone the gods detested was considered dangerous and impious.

Who is Aeolus in Greek mythology?

Aeolus is the divine keeper of the winds, appointed by Zeus to control the gales and tempests. While sometimes called a god, he is often depicted as a mortal king with divine authority.