Theme: Hospitality

Book: The Odyssey Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds

Research Notes:
Being Hospitable was a very important custom in Ancient Greece. Many
people let strangers into their home, afraid that the Gods would punish
them for being cruel.
When Odysseus begs the queen of the Phoenicians, she states, Rise
stranger, you speak well. Zeus watches over all beggars, and to honor him,
we will grant your plea. (pg. 81)
Xenia is the term used to describe the virtue of showing generosity or
courtesy to strangers of any condition and creating a genial relationship
between host and guest. by classroom.synonym.com
It was so important that it became a form of conduct in ancient Greek
society.
Xenia had many specific principles and rules involved. For example, the
host was not allowed to ask the guest any questions about their past.
No matter how much you hated the guest, you were forced to give at least
decent food and shelter. If you werent hospitable, your reputation would
pay and the gods would punish you severely for not following the
embedded code of conduct.
In the Odyssey, Penelope was forced to house the suitors that came every
day in hope to court her. She was the Queen of Ithaca, so she was
expected to set a righteous example for her people.
Quote from the Odyssey: Telemachus, fed up with the obnoxious suitors,
says,Be quiet you insolent suitors. Let the bard sing, and when he is
done, drain your cups and go home. a suitor then replies, The gods
themselves must be teaching you this high and mighty manner,
Telemachus! (pg 12)
Another reason why people were very hospitable was because the traveler
could have been a god himself, testing the host (or hostess). Many tales in
Ancient Greece have been told where the cruel people are rewarded for
their hospitable nature.
Manners were also connected with Xenia. Hosts were expected to be
polite and generous, never impatient or selfish. Most of the time, the host
would ask for a blessing from the guest, or a gift exchange. Sometimes,
the host would even give the traveler a gift for being a guest!

Bibliography
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20 Apr. 2015.
"Greek Life As Depicted in Homer's Epic: The Odyssey." Greek Life As Depicted
in Homer's Epic: The Odyssey. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
Shilling, Alana. "Hospitality in Ancient Greek Culture | The Classroom |
Synonym." The Classroom. Word Net, n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
Taylor, Kelly. "Hospitality in the Ancient Greek World." Hospitality in the Ancient
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