Odyssey 10.203 · Book 10, lines 203–207
Drawing lots for the scouting party
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αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ δίχα πάντας ἐυκνήμιδας ἑταίρους ἠρίθμεον, ἀρχὸν δὲ μετʼ ἀμφοτέροισιν ὄπασσα· τῶν μὲν ἐγὼν ἦρχον, τῶν δʼ Εὐρύλοχος θεοειδής. κλήρους δʼ ἐν κυνέῃ χαλκήρεϊ πάλλομεν ὦκα· ἐκ δʼ ἔθορε κλῆρος μεγαλήτορος Εὐρυλόχοιο.
But I divided in two all my well-greaved comrades and numbered them, and to each company I gave a leader; the one I led, and godlike Eurylochus the other. Then we shook lots in a bronze-fitted helmet swiftly; out leapt the lot of great-hearted Eurylochus.
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The setting
Odysseus must send a party to investigate the smoke. He organizes the crew and leaves the choice of who goes to chance.
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Odysseus splits the men into two companies and appoints a leader for each, himself over one, godlike Eurylochus over the other. They shake lots in a bronze helmet, and the lot of Eurylochus jumps out.
The draw decides who walks toward Circe. By leaving it to chance rather than an order, Odysseus shares the danger instead of assigning it. The lot also marks out Eurylochus, who alone will hang back from the goddess's cup and so live to carry the warning back.
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