At the beginning of Book X of the Odyssey, Aeolus, keeper of the winds, gives Odysseus a bag of winds. Aeolus treats this bag very carefully, coming down to the ship himself and tying it up with a silver cord, so that not the slightest breeze can escape.

After nine days' sailing, Odysseus goes to sleep, leaving the care of the ship to his men. They are now so close to Ithaca that they can see the men tending the beacon fires on the shore. At this point, a rumor circulates that the bag is full of gold and silver ,and the men complain that Odysseus is keeping all this treasure to himself instead of sharing it with them.

The men open the bag of winds. All the winds instantly escape and the storm-wind seizes the ship and bears it away from Ithaca all the way back to the isle of Aeolus. When he hears what has happened, Aeolus sends Odysseus away with angry curses, since it appears that he is hated by the gods. Odysseus departs from the isle and the men are punished for their folly by having to row the ship, since this time there are no winds to help them on their way.