Oxen of the Sun

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In Greek mythology, The Oxen of the Sun were the beloved cattle of the sun-god Helios pastured on the island of Trinacria. The actual herds consisted of 350 cattle and 350 sheep according to Homer's The Odyssey. They are usually referred to only as 'oxen' because of the events concerning Odysseus. These animals did not breed, but neither did they become fewer in number. They were tended by the goddesses Phaethusa and Lampetia, the daughters of Helios by Neaera. Helios is often exchanged with Apollo or Hyperion in the myths.

[edit] Odysseus

In Homer's The Odyssey, Odysseus is warned during his journey into Hades by the ghost of the Theban prophet Tiresias to leave these flocks unharmed if he wished to return home to Ithaca. However, if the Oxen of the Sun were harmed, Tiresias foretold the destruction of his ship and the loss of all his men. Circe also prophesied this fate. Upon reaching the island, Odysseus ordered his men to avoid the island at all costs. His men overturned his rule and landed after each swore not to harm a single head of cattle or sheep. After a month of unfavorable winds and the exhaustion of all rations onboard, Odysseus's crew slaughtered some of the cattle while he slept. Helios was so outraged that he threatened to bring the sun to Hades rather than Earth unless he had revenge upon the crew of Odysseus. Helios's will was immediately appeased and as a sign, the hides of the cattle began to crawl about and the meat began lowing like cows. For six days, the cattle were slaughtered, but on the seventh, the winds changed, and the fate of the crew was sealed.