Lotophagi

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Lotus Eaters redirects here. For other uses, see The Lotus Eaters.

Image:Lotus Eaters.gifIn Greek mythology, the Lotophagi ("lotus-eaters") were a race of people from an island near Northern Africa dominated by lotus plants. The lotus fruits and flowers were the primary foodstuff of the island and were narcotic, causing the people to sleep in peaceful apathy.

When Odysseus and his men landed on the island of the lotus-eaters, Odysseus sent three of his men to investigate the island. But the men began doing as the natives did, eating the lotus fruit. This caused them to forget about leaving the island and ever going home. Finally, Odysseus managed to drive the three wailing men back to the ship and set sail (The Odyssey IX, 84).

The Lotus tree in Greek mythology is thought to have been a species of Jujube or the Date Palm. The island itself may be the modern Djerba.

In modern usage, people who frequently daydream or think of impractical ideas can be called "lotus-eaters".

Recent studies have shown that the Blue Lilly of the Nile Nymphaea caerulea, sometimes Blue Lotus was possibly the plant used. It can be processed to be used as a soporific and in some formulations has psychedelic properties. It is very common in Egyptian iconography which suggests its use in a religious context.

Modern references to the lotus eaters

This Side of Paradise is a Star Trek episode where Captain Kirk has to rescue his crew and a planetary colony from alien spores that cause them to enjoy only lackadaisical hedonistic pursuits. When the USS Enterprise arrived they found essentially an island of the Lotus-Eaters, and his crew became infected as well. It was up to Kirk (Odysseus) to forcefully break them out of their Euphoric state and bring them back to reality.

The name Lotus Eaters has often been used for bands, songs, and works of literature (see The Lotus Eaters for a list).de:Lotophagen el:Λωτοφάγοι fr:Lotophages nl:Lotofagen no:Lotofager ru:Лотофаги sv:Lotofagerna uk:Лотофаги