Eurylochus of Same

In Greek mythology, Eurylochus (/jəˈrɪləkəs/; Ancient Greek: Εὐρύλοχος Eurúlokhos) appears in Homer's Odyssey as second-in-command of Odysseus' ship during the return to Ithaca after the Trojan War.[1] He also was the husband of Odysseus's sister, Ctimene. He is portrayed as an unpleasant cowardly individual who undermines Odysseus and stirs up trouble.

Mythology

When the ship stops on Aeaea, home of Circe the goddess-sorceress, daughter of the sun god Helios and the Oceanid nymph Perse, Eurylochus and Odysseus draw lots to lead a group of twenty-two men to explore the island. Eurylochus is chosen.[2] After the crew spots a column of smoke, Eurylochus leads his expedition towards the source. They near a palace surrounded with wild but magically benign animals.[3] Inside the palace is Circe singing, and (led by Polites) all rush in, except for Eurylochus who suspects her treachery.[4] When she turns the rest of the expedition into pigs, Eurylochus escapes and warns Odysseus and the portion of the crew who stayed on the ship, thus enabling Odysseus to attempt a rescue.[5] When Odysseus goes to save his men, Eurylochus refuses to guide him and urges him to escape and leave the men to their fate.[6]

When Odysseus returns from Circe, having rescued the men, Eurylochus insults Odysseus.[7] Odysseus considers killing him but the crewmen drag them apart.[8] After their reconciliation, Circe advises Odysseus to see the prophet Tiresias for advice to get back home. Tiresias instructs Odysseus not to touch the cattle of Helios, but Eurylochus persuades the hungry and mutinous crew to kill and eat some of the god's cattle. As punishment, Odysseus' ship is destroyed, and all of his crew, including Eurylochus, are killed in a storm sent by Zeus. Only Odysseus survives.

References
  1. Butcher, SH and Lang, A: The Odyssey of Homer, Project Gutenberg
  2. "Homer, Odyssey, Book 10, line 205". data.perseus.org. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  3. "Homer, Odyssey, Book 10, line 212". data.perseus.org. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  4. "Homer, Odyssey, Book 10, line 221". data.perseus.org. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  5. "Homer, Odyssey, Book 10, lines 231 and 258". data.perseus.org. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  6. "Homer, Odyssey, Book 10, line 265". data.perseus.org. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  7. "Homer, Odyssey, Book 10, line 435". data.perseus.org. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  8. "Homer, Odyssey, Book 10, lines 439 and 440". data.perseus.org. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
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