Final answer:
Odysseus’ men slaughter Helios' sacred cattle out of hunger and, as punishment, Zeus destroys their ship, leading to their deaths. Odysseus survives owing to the assistance from the goddess Leukothea.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Homer's The Odyssey, Odysseus' men face dire consequences on the island of the sun god, Helios. Despite Odysseus' explicit warnings not to, his men give in to hunger. They slaughter the sacred cattle of Helios, leading to the god's demand for retribution. In response, Zeus sends a storm that destroys their ship as they leave the island, and all of Odysseus’ men drown. Odysseus survives, however, due to the help of the sea goddess Leukothea, who gives him a magical veil that protects him in the water. As one of the initiates, Odysseus ties the veil beneath his abdomen, symbolizing a protective charm used by the initiates, and thus he is spared from the fate of his men.