The Lotus-eaters were a tribe of people who ate exclusively from the lotus plant and never left their canoe.
Lotus eaters were often portrayed as peaceful and passive, though they could be violent if provoked or caught in such a situation as starvation or if their waters sources were taken away. They often had offerings made to them by those who were trying to escape their vengeance, such as birds and caged animals.
Origin
The origin of the lotus-eaters comes from a Greek Mythology story that involves a Greek hero named Odysseus. Odysseus was a Greek soldier who would eventually become king of Ithaca and eventually known as Ulysses in Roman mythology. Odysseus led a small fleet on a voyage back to his home of kingdom Ithaca from the Trojan War, but were waylaid by the Sirens, who sang beautiful songs that would lure any passerby ship toward them.
After warnings from the goddess Calypso, Odysseus and his crew managed to do a several days journey until they reached the island of Lesbos. This island was inhabited by people that would eventually become known as “Lotus eaters”, who would serve as a way for Odysseus crew to get off the island without being lured by the sirens. Odysseus meets the Lotus Eaters and as they arrived on the island, Odysseus and his men became sick from eating food from the lotus plant.
Lotus Eaters in Mythology
In mythology, the lotus Eaters, a group of people who lived on the island of Lesbos and were known for worshipping a goddess named Polyhymnia. The lotus Eaters were originally a peaceful tribe of people, who would worship the goddess Polyhymnia and live the secluded lives that she presented to them.
The mythological background behind the lotus eaters presented in Greek mythology was that they were originally a peaceful tribe of people who believed in Polyhymnia. Polyhymnia is the muse of sacred music, sacred poetry, music, dance, and eloquence. The lotus eaters would worship Polyhymnia by staying in their homeland of Lesbos and refusing to travel elsewhere. The people were so protective of their land that they did not want to do anything that would change the sanctity of their home. This led them to exile King Minos for taking over one of their islands that would be later named for him.
Location
The location of the lotus eaters is said to be a land in Asia Minor near a river named Thermodon or Ladon. This region was located near a strait called Sinope in ancient times. It was just South of the Black Sea and just North of the Aegean Sea. Some sources also claim it was located near a river called Thermodon in the area of modern-day Turkey. This river was known to have been a major source for water for both people and bees.
The waters were rich with fish, shellfish, carp, flat fish, eels, turtles and dolphins that all provided food for both people and lotus eaters alike.
Lotus plant
The lotus plant was used as food, decorations, and homes by people in the area. The plant was known to be ten feet tall and reach up to seven feet wide at the base. It would grow anywhere between two and 25 feet tall depending on the amount of nutrients it received. Smaller plants were also known to be grown in pots such as those used by lotus eaters, but they would still reach up to 7 feet tall. It was said that the plants could grow for thirty years without detection and bloom once a year. All parts of the plant including roots and leaves were used for food and decorations.
What happens if you eat lotus?
The lotus plant was considered to be a delicious food source, but it had another effect on humans depending on whether they were from the island of Lesbos or from outside the island. The locals could eat the plant without any ill effects, but people from other areas would become addicted to eating it and fall into a deep sleep. Any outsiders who tasted the lotus were also known to always wish to return and eat more of it.
What is the main idea of the Lotus Eaters?
The main idea of the lotus eaters is that people who were able to find peace in their lives and enjoy life without any care were portrayed as happy and good, but when they were disturbed and harmed, they became vicious and destroyed their enemies.
They also represent the people who live in a place where the lotus plant grows naturally and do not want anything to change in their lives.