Aeolus 2
Aeolus 2 was king of the Aeolian Islands. He was appointed by Zeus to be the Ruler of the Winds, both to calm them and to arouse them. Having entertained Odysseus, who had come to him during his wanderings, Aeolus 2 gave him a bag inside which he had bound fast the winds. But when Odysseus' fleet, having left the Aeolian Islands was near Ithaca, his comrades, thinking that Odysseus carried gold in the bag, loosed it and let the winds go free. Thus the fleet was driven back again to Aeolus 2's floating kingdom. But this time the Ruler of the Winds refused to grant them a fair breeze, expelling them from the island.
Home and Family
Aeolus 2 lived in the floating Island of Aeolia, around which there was a wall of bronze. Some say he had twelve children (six sons and six daughters), and that he gave his daughters to his sons as wives. Being a favorite of the gods, Aeolus 2 spent all his days in feasting and banqueting with his wife and children. Luxuries never failed in this happy place.
Hospitality
When Odysseus left the island of the Cyclops Polyphemus 2, he came to the floating island where Aeolus 2 lived in a palace. There Odysseus stayed for a whole month. During this time, he gave Aeolus 2 a full account of the Trojan War, which particularly interested the king (since those who live far from the world, usually regard its troubles with great wonder).
Assistance
When that month had passed, Odysseus asked the king for permission to continue his journey (for no one comes and goes in a palace as he pleases), also asking if he could count on the king's help to safely return to Ithaca. Aeolus 2 then presented him with the leather bag in which he had imprisoned the forces of all the winds, and this bag the Ruler of the Winds tightly secured with a silver wire to Odysseus' ship. In addition, the king called up a breeze to blow in the proper direction.
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1027: Wind god in terracotta from the 18C AD. Städtische Galerie-Liebighaus, Museum alter Plastik, Frankfurt.
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Sleep and Greed
This is how Odysseus and his crew left the Aeolian Island. When they had sailed for nine days, having during the tenth day their homeland in sight, and being also able to see the smoke rising from the town, Odysseus fell asleep, and his comrades, suspecting he carried gold and silver as gifts from the king and booty from the war, loosed the leather bag and all the winds came forth.
Return to the start
Borne by storms and an evil blast of wind, the ships sailed back again, over the waves they had just crossed, to the Aeolian Island. There they landed, and after taking a meal in the beach, Odysseus went back with a herald and another companion to the palace of Aeolus 2, whom he found busy in the midst of his daily duties, that is, feasting with his wife and children.
Humiliating second meeting
When the company saw Odysseus back, they could not believe their eyes, for they had given him all what he needed to reach Ithaca, or whatever port he might choose. Odysseus explained, not without embarrassment, that the reason of his unexpected presence was a treacherous crew and a fatal sleep, begging:
"But my friends, won't you put things right for me? You easily could." (Odysseus to Aeolus 2. Homer, Odyssey 10.67).
But all kept silent, except King Aeolus 2, and since even sleep may at times be outrageous, he said:
"Begone from this island instantly. The world holds no greater sinner than you, and I am not one to entertain and equip a man detested by the gods … Be off" (Aeolus 2 to Odysseus. Homer, Odyssey 10.70).
With these words, Odysseus was dismissed, and all his protests went for nothing. And after leaving Aeolus 2, Odysseus came to the land of the Laestrygonians, where he lost the fleet except his own ship.
