Xenia: Odysseus' Blessing and Curse
In Homer’s “Odyssey,” Book 7, Odysseus, who has at this point lost all his men and washes up alone on the Scherian beach, has through his wit and bearing, and with the goddess Athena’s help, been accepted into the royal Phaeacian court. Here, he throws himself at the mercy of Queen Arete, and then settles himself in the ashes. An elder at court reminds everyone of their duty under Zeus, Xenia–guest-friendship– and they honor Odysseus the wanderer. In fact, they offer their beautiful daughter to Odysseus in marriage. We discuss Xenia, this all-important custom in the ancient Greek world that…
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