Guest-Host Bonds in Ancient Greece

Main thing

Xenia was the ancient Greek concept of hospitality and the guest-host relationship. It involved a sacred bond of friendship and reciprocal generosity between the host and guest, with expectations and obligations on both sides.

The host was expected to provide food, shelter, and gifts to the guest without initially asking their name. In return, the guest would show gratitude, respect the host's property, and provide their name and background when asked. This reciprocal bond could last for generations.

Xenia was believed to be protected by Zeus Xenios, the god of strangers and hospitality. Violating xenia was considered a great offense that could provoke divine wrath.

An example of xenia in action is Odysseus being welcomed and given gifts by the Phaeacians in Homer's Odyssey.

Terms

• Xenos - the Greek word meaning "guest", "host" or "stranger", capturing the reciprocal nature of the guest-host relationship. Example: Paris violated xenia as a xenos in Menelaus' house.

• Theoxenia - the Greek custom of showing hospitality to strangers, in case they were gods in disguise testing the host. Example: Zeus was known to disguise himself as a stranger to test people's hospitality.

• Zeus Xenios - an epithet of Zeus meaning "Zeus of strangers/guests", emphasizing his role as the protector of guests and xenia. Example: Violating xenia could provoke the wrath of Zeus Xenios.

• Xenia gifts - gifts exchanged between guest and host to symbolize their bond of friendship. They were more than mere trade objects.

An analogy

Xenia can be compared to the modern concept of diplomatic immunity. Just as diplomats today are protected by international law when visiting foreign countries, guests in ancient Greece were protected by the sacred custom of xenia when visiting the homes of others. Violating this code in either case is considered a serious breach.

A main misconception

A common misconception is that xenia only applied to the wealthy and elite in ancient Greece. In reality, xenia was a fundamental custom that applied to people of all social classes. Even common households were expected to welcome strangers and provide them food and shelter.

The history

The origins of xenia date back to at least Mycenaean times (c. 1600-1100 BCE) or even earlier.

1. In the Greek Dark Ages (c. 1100-800 BCE) after the fall of Mycenaean civilization, xenia helped facilitate trade and travel in the absence of centralized states or hotels.

2. In the Archaic period (c. 800-500 BCE), xenia was a key theme in Greek mythology and epic poetry like Homer's Iliad and Odyssey.

3. In the Classical period (c. 500-323 BCE), xenia remained an important custom, even as city-states and alternatives to home hospitality developed.

"Xenia was the most important of all Greek customs." - M.I. Finley, noted scholar of ancient Greece.

Three cases how to use it right now

1. When traveling, make an effort to be a gracious and respectful guest if staying in someone's home. Bring a thoughtful gift, follow house rules, and express gratitude. This helps build cross-cultural bonds.

2. If hosting guests in your home, go out of your way to make them feel welcome and comfortable. Provide food, drinks and a clean, private space for them. Treat them like family.

3. In professional contexts, show "xenia" when hosting visiting colleagues or clients. Welcome them warmly, provide for their needs, give thoughtful company gifts, and follow up to maintain the relationship.

Interesting facts

• The word "xenia" comes from the Greek root "xenos", which also gives us English words like "xenophobia" (fear of strangers) and "xenophilia" (love of strangers).

• Xenia is a key theme in Homer's Odyssey, with Odysseus experiencing both good and bad xenia on his 10-year journey home. His wife Penelope also practices xenia while fending off 108 suitors.

• The ritual of theoxenia, where Greeks hosted feasts for the gods, involved setting out a table with food in case the gods visited in disguise to test xenia.

• Xenia could be hereditary, with guest-host relationships passed down through generations, as shown by the bond between Diomedes and Glaucus in the Iliad.

• In the Odyssey, the Cyclops Polyphemus violates xenia by eating his guests, while the Phaeacians exemplify it by warmly hosting Odysseus.