Aeolus and the Bag of Winds
Aeolus gives Odysseus control of the dangerous winds, but curiosity among the crew sends the ships back just as Ithaca is almost reached.
The Story
During his voyage home from Troy, Odysseus reached the island of Aeolus.
Aeolus was keeper or ruler of the winds.
He received Odysseus generously.
When the time came for the Greeks to leave, Aeolus gave Odysseus an extraordinary gift.
The dangerous winds were sealed inside a bag.
Only the favourable wind needed for the voyage home was allowed to blow.
For several days the plan worked.
Ithaca came within sight.
Odysseus, exhausted from steering and guarding the secret, finally fell asleep.
His companions became suspicious of the bag.
They imagined that Aeolus had given Odysseus treasure that he was hiding from them.
They opened it.
The imprisoned winds burst free.
A storm drove the ships all the way back to Aeolus.
This time Aeolus refused to help.
He concluded that Odysseus must be opposed by the gods.
Once again, the homeland had been visible but remained unreachable.
Key Figures
Why It Matters
The bag of winds is one of the clearest Odyssey examples of how Odysseus' return is repeatedly frustrated by mistrust and poor decisions within his own crew.
Traditions & Variations
Homer's Odyssey provides the central surviving version of the episode.