Greek Myths XS: The Theft of Helios' Cattle

Sun god Helios not only drove the shiniest set of wheels, he also kept the nicest herds of sheep and cattle, on the island of Thrinakia (now Sicily). Two of his seven daughters guarded them, and no god or human would risk bringing down the god’s wrath by touching even one animal. Enter Odysseus, on his way back from the Trojan War. His ship strands on the island, after been blown out of course by a disgruntled Poseidon. And the cook can’t resist the temptation. Under the pretext of sacrificing, he chooses the fattest animals, burns the skin and bones, and prepares a succulent feast with the meat. “Even if the god decides to wreck our ship, I’d rather die at sea than starve here!” And that’s exactly what happens. As Odysseus didn’t participate in the feasting, he’s the only one to survive the hellish storm that follows. While his crew perishes, he swims to the mythical island of Ogygia, where the ravishing nymph Kalypso lives. The seven years he spends with her, make up the most part of his famous Odyssey. That could have been worse, no?

Odysseys sleeps while his men slaughter the cattle, Stradanus, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

The companions of Odysseus steal the cattle of Helios, Pellegrino Tibaldi,

Palazzo Poggi, Bologna

Did you know?

• About Helios: cfr. “All that Shines”, “Follow the Sun”, “Joyride”, “Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh”, “Feel the Static”, “Too little, too late”, “Blind Tasting”, “To the End of the World”.

• About Kalypso: cfr. “Spellbound”