The left third of the panel displays figures above with one of Helio's sacred cows wading slightly below.

Seaman Eurylochus, the furthest figure left, is shown here persuading the members of Odysseus' crew to break their oath and dine on the sacred cows.

Close-up of Eurylochus

A plentiful bounty of fish makes the sin of slaughtering the sacred cattle that much worse.

The seas are teeming with fish, making the decision to dine on the cattle of Helios the sun god, even more damning.

The Island of Trinacia (today's Malta) belongs to the sun god Helios who loves his prized cattle which he looks down on and finds comfort in, each time he passes over.

Underwater view of a cow being rounded up by Odysseus' crew.

Detail of fish next to cow's left ear

Fish beneath the waves off the coast of Trinacia

Leucothea is a shape-shifting naiad or water nymph. She is shown here taking the shape of a seagull to observe and report the crime being committed by Odysseys' crew to Lampetië and Phaëthusa, Helio's daughters, who care for the cattle.

Detail of the naiad Leucothea, in her seagull disguise

Standing immediately next to Eurylochus is this figure of a hunched-over crew member involved in the task of herding cattle towards the ship at anchor.

Detail beneath a wisp of splashed water, the remnants of Leucothea shape-shifting from water into a seagull

Detail of the painting's center

A seaman wades through coastal water rounding up cattle to be hoisted onto their anchored vessel

Close up of seaman's hand as he splashes through the water

Detail of head and shoulder of seaman wading through water

Close-up of wading seaman's head

Detail of seaman bathing during the round-up of the cattle

Seaman rubbing himself clean with the refreshing waters of Trinacia's coast

Detail of hand of bathing seaman

Detail of bathing seaman washing a garment

Detail of a seaman's right arm under the waves wringing a garment

Detail of left shoulder of bathing seaman

Close-up of bathing seaman's right shoulder

The water plasma of a naiad in her water form and a cow surprised by the appearance of a bird on its snout.

The cowbird, a parasite fowl, is an ancient omen of bad tidings.

Sailor refreshing himself beneath the waves of cool water

Detail of sailor's head with hand in water

Size/scale of image in natural environment