Question

read the excerpt from part 1 of the odyssey. my men were mutinous, fools, on stores of wine. sheep after sheep they butchered by the surf, and shambling cattle, feasting, - while fugitives went inland, running to call to arms the main force of cicones. this was an army, trained to fight on horseback or, where the ground required, on foot. they came with dawn over that terrain like the leaves and blades of spring. what theme is supported by the excerpt? the victors of war earn rewards. the fugitives of war suffer in isolation. soldiers should take proper care of their horses. soldiers must be wary of their enemies.

Explanation:

The excerpt shows that while Odysseus' men are feasting (after a battle), the Ciconian fugitives go to call for reinforcements. The Ciconian army comes at dawn. This implies that the soldiers (Odysseus' men) should be cautious as their enemies (the Ciconians) are still a threat. The other options:

• "The victors of war earn rewards" is not supported as the focus is on the enemy's counter - action, not rewards.
• "The fugitives of war suffer in isolation" is incorrect because the fugitives are going to get help, not suffering in isolation.
• "Soldiers should take proper care of their horses" has no basis in the text as the text is about the enemy's military action, not horse - care.

Answer:

Soldiers must be wary of their enemies.