It is better to be killed by the gods then to die of starvation. Furthermore, they can sacrifice some of the cattle to appease the gods.
Eurylochus convinces Odysseus' men to eat the cattle of Helios by arguing that it is better to die by the hands of Helios than to starve to death. He questions Odysseus's authority and portrays their leader as selfish for not allowing them to eat the cattle. Eurylochus also plays on the men's fear and desperation, manipulating their emotions to make them disregard Odysseus's instructions.
Eurylochus and the rest of the men
Eurylochus convinces Odysseus and his crew to stop on Helios' island by explaining that they are in dire need of rest and supplies. He argues that they should take advantage of the island's resources before continuing their journey, despite the potential consequences of angering Helios.
Eurylochus and the rest of the men
Eurylochus and the rest of the men
He tells the men that they will starve without eating Helios's cattle and that it is not honorable to die of starvation far from home and battle. He also takes advantage of Odysseus's absence.
Eurylochus was more persuasive on the Island of Helios because he played on the fears and emotions of the crew, appealing to their immediate desires despite the consequences. In contrast, Odysseus tried to uphold discipline and loyalty to the gods, which didn't resonate with the crew's desperation. Eurylochus's persuasive tactics were more effective in this situation.
Circe's final warning to Odysseus was to not slaughter Helios's cattle on Thrinacia
Eurylochus convinces the rest of the crew that slaughtering the cattle of Helios is preferable to continuing to starve. He argues that the gods will forgive them if they sacrifice some of the cattle to them. Zeus destroys their ship and leaves the men to drown; only Odysseus survives.
Helios is the sun god. Tiresias warned Odysseus that if anyone ate Helios's cattle, then he would return home alone, but after great hardship. His starving men, led by Eurylochus refused to listen and ate the cows while Odysseus was sleeping. Therefore, all the men die, and it takes Odysseus another 7 years to get home.
It's not that they should not touch it, it's then if they should avoid touching any of his belongings, in which when Odysseus falls asleep. Eurylochus & the crew were starving in which they Slayed Helios' Cattle and Ate them. So, Helios, in a rage, went to Zeus and asked him to punish the men for stealing from him and eating the "Cattle of the Sun" in which Zeus sends down a lightning bolt destroying Odysseus' ship as well as killing everyone including Eurylochus except for him, Odysseus.
The crew members agree to kill Helios's cattle because they are starving and desperate for food. Despite being warned not to by Odysseus, they give in to their hunger and slaughter the cattle as a last resort. This angers the gods and leads to dire consequences for the crew.