The Acceptance Of Xenia In Homer's Odyssey

Xenia is the custom in Homeric society of being hospitable to a xenos. A host would be expected to be courteous, provide food, drink, shelter and even entertainment before they established the identity of the xenos. A host and guest would generally perform xenina which is an exchange of gifts; the exchange was an unwritten bond between households where a permeant friendship is established and is passed down to each generation. Diplomatic relations were established in the exchange of xenia (BHAG, p.384) which would have helped communities trade. Zeus was seen as the protector of xenia and failure to provide xenia or to be seen taking advantage of xenia in any way was seen as an insult to Zeus and consequences would follow. The importance of xenia in Homeric society will be examined in Odyssey books 1 – 4 by the experiences of Telemachus’. Telemachus’ experience of good and bad xenia will be examined to

He is unsure how to engage in discourse with Nestor so follows Athena’s lead into Nestor’s palace (3.23-29). Similarly to how Telemachus greeted Athena (1. 118ff) Nestor and his sons welcome Telemachus and Athena graciously. Another important theme of xenia appears in its relation to gods. Nestor requests they pray to Poseidon (3. 43-64), this part of xenia is showing timé towards the gods, by praying for them they are including them in their xenia. It is clear that Nestor and Odysseus were friends; Nestor seeing glimpses of Odysseus in Telemachus (3. 120ff). It shows that there is an existing bond between their families which is another important part of xenia; the bond that is created in the past between Odysseus and Nestor being passed onto to their descendants. Also it is the first time Telemachus receives a gift, giving a gift is important in Homeric xenia as it symbolised the link between the two houses (3.