Aeolus (son of Hippotes)

Aeolus (son of Hippotes)

In Greek mythology, Aeolus, the son of Hippotes, was the ruler of the winds encountered by Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey. Aeolus was the king of the island of Aeolia, where he lived with his wife and six sons and six daughters. To ensure safe passage home for Odysseus and his men, Aeolus gave Odysseus a bag containing all the winds, except the gentle west wind. But when almost home, close enough to smell fresh bread being baked and even see Odysseus' mother, Anticlea, waving to him, Odysseus' men, thinking the bag contained treasure, opened it and they were all driven by the winds back to Aeolia. Believing that Odysseus must evidently be hated by the gods, Aeolus sent him away without further help. This Aeolus was also sometimes confused with the Aeolus who was the son of Hellen and the eponym of one of the four major Ancient Greek tribes, the Aeolians.

Pantheon: Greek Culture: Ancient Greek Civilization: Ancient Greece Period: 800 BCE – 400 CE

Source: Wikipedia)