What Does Odysseus Do on the Island of Cicones That Best Shows the Trait of Leadership?
- Cody Thomas Rounds
- Aug 30
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 13
Key Points
Odysseus Cicones leadership example
Ancient Greek leadership psychology
Lessons in restraint and command authority
Cultural roots of leadership in Homer
Psychology of obedience and defiance
The information in this blog is for educational and entertainment purposes only
Introduction to the Island and Odysseus’ Actions
As Odysseus and his weary crew journey home from the Trojan War, they arrive at the island of Cicones—a land allied with Troy and thus a potential threat. Here, Odysseus demonstrates strategic thinking from the moment his men land. Recognizing both the opportunity and the risks, Odysseus commands his men to plunder the city, but his leadership qualities are evident in the way he approaches this act: he intends for the raid to be swift and controlled, mindful of the potential dangers posed by the Cicones army.
The initial success of the raid is a testament to Odysseus’ ability to make decisive, effective choices under pressure. The men, flush with victory, begin to divide the plundered goods equally among themselves—a moment that could easily lead to complacency or overindulgence. Yet it is here that Odysseus realizes the importance of not overstaying their welcome. His strategic thinking comes to the forefront as he assesses the situation, foreseeing the possibility of a counterattack if they linger too long.
Odysseus’ trait of leadership is best shown when he orders his men to stop plundering and return quickly to the ships. He prioritizes the safety and well-being of his crew over the temptation of further riches, understanding that the true measure of a leader lies in the ability to weigh immediate gains against long-term survival. By urging his men to set sail before the Cicones army can regroup, Odysseus exemplifies the qualities of an effective leader—one who values the lives of his followers and makes decisions with their best interests in mind. This moment on the island of Cicones stands as a clear example of how Odysseus’ command, foresight, and concern for his crew’s safety define his leadership throughout their perilous journey.
The Question of Leadership in Homeric Context
To ask what Odysseus does on the island of the Cicones that best shows the trait of leadership is not to ask about a single episode of raiding and plunder. It is to examine how the essential traits of leadership—such as strategic thinking, resilience, communication, and foresight—were conceived in antiquity, especially as embodied by Homeric heroes.
Odysseus, as a hero, demonstrates these essential traits through his actions on the island of the Cicones, where the hero's leadership is tested in the face of adversity. Homer’s Odyssey provides in the Cicones episode a crucial glimpse into the tension between leadership and obedience, foresight and impulse, authority and the crowd, with Odysseus's hero's leadership serving as a model for guiding others through crisis.
The Cicones Episode: A Brief Recap
After the fall of Troy, Odysseus and his men have an encounter with the Cicones. They are initially successful, sacking the town, taking wealth, and enjoying their victory. However, when Odysseus tells his men to leave quickly, the men disobey his orders, overcome by greed and overconfidence. As a result, the Cicones rally and a fight ensues between the Cicones and Odysseus’s men, leading to heavy losses for the crew. In the aftermath, Odysseus refuses to help his men continue the fight after they disobey.
Leadership Through Restraint
What best shows Odysseus’ leadership here is not the initial act of conquest but his attempt to restrain his men. As a leader, Odysseus faces significant challenges, including managing his men’s impulses and navigating the risks of lingering in hostile territory. Leadership, in Homer, often appears not as boldness alone but as foresight—the ability to perceive the arc of consequence. Odysseus’ command to withdraw was a judgment born of experience and a testament to his decision making under pressure, exemplifying effective leadership in a crisis.
This decisive action, though disobeyed, demonstrates the essence of leadership: the burden of seeing what others do not wish to see, of insisting on prudence where appetite demands indulgence. Odysseus emerges as a wise leader, showing restraint and strategic thinking in the face of adversity. His men’s refusal does not diminish his leadership; it underscores the perennial difficulty of command—the gulf between vision and compliance. The lesson here is that true leadership often involves making difficult decisions and taking decisive action, even when it is unpopular or ignored.
The Psychology of Obedience and Defiance
From a psychological perspective, the Cicones episode illuminates the tension between individual authority and group impulse. Odysseus represents the executive function of the team, the capacity to inhibit reckless action and plan for the future. His team, by contrast, embodies short-term reward seeking, the susceptibility to immediate gratification, and the challenges of maintaining team dynamics.
This dynamic is timeless. Leaders often find themselves not merely issuing orders but battling the deeper instincts of their team members. Leadership is not demonstrated by the perfection of one’s subordinates but by the persistence of guidance in the face of their resistance. Odysseus’ attempt to restrain them is thus both a display of foresight and an example of the limits of authority when discipline erodes. His actions directly affect the morale of his team, as their disobedience leads to a crisis that tests their spirit and cohesion. In this moment, Odysseus must respond to the disobedience and the resulting crisis, adapting his leadership to restore order and morale among his team.
The Cultural Dimension of Command
In Greek culture, leadership was inseparable from fate. The leader bore responsibility not only for his own actions but for the fortunes of those under his command, and was required to answer for the outcomes of leadership. To lead was to be answerable to the gods, to history, and to the community. The Cicones episode reflects this weight. Odysseus’ command is ignored, yet he is the one who bears the sorrow of his men’s deaths, just as he will later bear the burden of their folly with the cattle of Helios. Odysseus’s hopes are that his men will obey his commands and return to the ship, but when they do not, he is left to answer for the consequences. His concern for his men's lives shapes his decisions, as he tries to protect their safety and well-being even when they disobey.
Here lies a deeper truth: leadership is less about control than about responsibility. Even when his authority fails, Odysseus remains the one who must absorb the consequences. The trait of leadership is revealed not in the perfection of obedience but in the acceptance of accountability.
Philosophy and the Burden of Command
Philosophers from Plato to Machiavelli have observed that the essence of leadership lies in the tension between wisdom and will. Plato’s philosopher-king was defined by the ability to see what others cannot. Machiavelli emphasized the necessity of foresight and the management of fortune. Odysseus, centuries earlier, embodies both insights: he perceives the danger, warns against it, and attempts to guide his men accordingly.
His failure to sway them does not erase his leadership but highlights the tragic element inherent in command: leaders cannot guarantee obedience, only direction. Authority is persuasive, not absolute.
The Traits Revealed in What Does Odysseus Do on the Island of Cicones That Best Shows the Trait of Leadership?
So what does Odysseus do on the island of the Cicones that best shows the trait of leadership? Here is a detailed answer: he warns his men to withdraw, recognizing the limits of victory and counseling prudence. For example, Odysseus urges his crew to leave quickly after their initial success, showing his strategic decision-making and foresight. This demonstrates not only his tactical skills but also his empathy for his crew, as he is genuinely concerned for their safety and well-being. That moment—when he counsels restraint against the intoxicating pull of greed—is where leadership shines. It is in the command that is right, not in the obedience that fails to follow it.
Closing Movement: Leadership as Human Struggle
The Cicones episode reframes leadership not as triumph but as struggle. Odysseus’ leadership lies in his foresight, his willingness to stand against the tide of his own men’s desires, even if they refuse him. When the situation turns dangerous, Odysseus leads a strategic retreat, demonstrating his quick decision-making and concern for his men's safety. In the face of adversity, he remains brave, guiding his men back to the ship—a symbol of safety and his leadership. Odysseus returns to the ship after the ordeal, ensuring that they can safely set sail from the island and continue their journey.
To lead, as Odysseus shows, is to carry the burden of vision amid the blindness of the many. Leadership is not perfection of control but endurance of responsibility. In that sense, Odysseus’ attempt to restrain his men at Cicones reflects the enduring human condition of command: to see further, to warn, to guide, and to suffer the consequences of what others refuse to heed.
Additional Resources
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