The Cattle of the Sun and Shipwreck

The crew's disobedience in slaughtering Helios's cattle and the resulting destruction of the ship.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Landing on Thrinacia

The Forbidden Island Tiresias's Warning Tiresias and Circe both warned Odysseus not to harm the cattle of the Sun on Thrinacia. The Crew's Desperation Storms trap them on the island for a month. Their food runs out, and the crew grows hungry. Odysseus's Prayer Odysseus goes inland to pray, but falls asleep.

Slaughter of the Cattle

The Crew's Disobedience Eurylochus's Persuasion Eurylochus convinces the starving crew to kill the cattle, promising to build a temple to Helios if they return home. The Sacrifice They slaughter the best cattle and feast. Odysseus wakes and is horrified. Omens of Doom The hides crawl, and the meat moos on the spits, signaling divine anger.

Shipwreck and Death of the Crew

Zeus's Punishment Helios's Complaint Helios demands vengeance from Zeus. Zeus promises to destroy Odysseus's ship. The Storm As they sail, Zeus sends a thunderbolt that shatters the ship. All the crew drown except Odysseus. Odysseus Alone Odysseus clings to the keel and drifts for nine days, eventually reaching Calypso's island.

After passing Scylla and Charybdis

While Odysseus is asleep

After leaving Thrinacia