The Concept Of Xenia In Ancient Civilization

Throughout many types of literature characters often step away from the security of their homes to endure the trials and tribulations of crossing borders. No matter what the motivation be for why we cross physical boundaries, whether it be for exploration or even personal gain, it is how one is treated when they enter that foreign land that greatly influences their journey. This influential role of hospitality and the key guest to host relationship can be referred to as xenia.

When crossing borders, xenia, Zeus’s sacred law, has the ability to shape one’s entire journey. In the journey of The Odyssey as well as the story of Arabian Nights, the characters were each affected by natives that both accept and neglect the laws of xenia. From those that offer a warm bed and place to stay, to those that would rather eat you than feed you, these characters saw it all. As xenia was a sacred law of one of the most important gods of ancient Greek culture, Zeus the god of the sky, violations of this code did not go unnoticed or unpunished. Comparatively, abiding by this law rarely went unrewarded in one way or another. Thus, the ancient concept of xenia played an undeniable role in the travels of these literary heroes, but most of all the ideas of xenia reaffirms the ideals of humanity and civility among people of all different cultures.

The concept of Xenia was well known throughout ancient civilization. Particularly in The Odyssey, Zeus’s sacred law was not to be taken lightly by any god-fearing citizen. The relationship between both the guest and host each carried their own set of responsibilities of behaving in an appropriate manner. Guests were always expected to be welcomed with open arms by the household regardless of religion, wealth, poverty, or anything else. On the contrary, guests were expected to be courteous and not refuse any of the hosts hospitality, as well as never to make blatant or rude demands of their host. If both parties successfully followed these laws, there was often mutual benefit as all travelers were believed to be under Zeus’s protection and all those who aided travelers were to be justly rewarded by the divine.

Odysseus’s encounter with Nausicaa, the young princess of the island of the Phaiakians, is an example of perfect xenia at play by both parties. Odysseus had just been shipwrecked and was forced to take refuge under the woodsy, brush by the water. He was naked and helpless, desperate for anyone's help. When he awakened to the sound of young women close by, his approach to the strangers was calm and modest as he cautiously pleaded for help. As Odysseus acknowledged the laws of Zeus as a humble guest, Nausicaa showed wisdom beyond her youth as she did not run with fear but stood strong as an adult and handled the situation with care. Nausicaa spoke with wisdom making it clear her and her people would provide for this poor stranger. “But now, since it is our land and our city that you have come to, you shall not lack for clothing nor anything else, of those gifts which should befall the unhappy suppliant on his arrival” (Wilson). This relationship between the Phaiakians and Odysseus proved to be an extremely successful encounter where Odysseus entertained respectfully with stories of his travels and the King and Queen provided Odysseus safe passage back home on one of their many ships. Even young Telemachus, son of Odysseus, encountered good xenia along his travels to dig up the details of his father’s disappearance. On his journey Telemachus encountered Nestor who fought alongside Odysseus in the Trojan War. Nestor accommodates Telemachus’ request for information by lamenting about Odysseus and their days at war together. Nestor also offers Telemachus sanctuary in his home and even offers horses and men for Telemachus’ upcoming voyage to Sparta. Being a grateful and courteous guest, Telemachus could not refuse. As Nestor was such an accommodating host to Telemachus and disguised Athena as well, the gods rewarded him and his family. “First of all, to Nestor and to his sons grant glory, and then on all the rest of the Pylians besides confer gracious recompense in return for this grand hecatomb”.

Athena prayed to the gods as she was in her disguise, but then granted the prayer as she herself is a powerful goddess and was very pleased with the xenia Nestor and his family provided the young traveler. While many characters exhibit the admirable qualities of hospitality that xenia encourages, within the travels of a hero, there is no shortage of characters who do not. In fact, within the journey of Odysseus, he and his men encountered a giant by the name of Polyphemus on the island Ismarus, the home of the Cicones. Expecting the same hospitality, the men would find elsewhere, when they stumbled upon a cave of plentiful sheep, milk, and cheese, they entered and awaited the master of the households return. Soon after the men were greeted by the giant Polyphemus they were instantly surprised as the situation turned threatening. Polyphemus made his men into a quick meal and trapped the remaining men to be enjoyed at a later time. Polyphemus made it clear he had no intentions of abiding by the laws of the gods through his actions, but also his telling and arrogant words. “Stranger, you are a simple fool, or come from far off, when you tell me to avoid the wrath of the gods or fear them. The Cyclopes do not concern themselves over Zeus of the aegis, nor any of the rest of the blessed gods, since we are far better than they…". In the end, Odysseus and his remaining men escaped after blinding and manipulating Polyphemus. With the gods on his side the hero escaped and the cyclops that disobeyed Zeus’s sacred law of hospitality was left mangled and humiliated by a mortal man.

Similar to the mistakes of Polyphemus, Penelope’s suitors fall into the same situation as they failed to abide by the laws of xenia. These greedy men ate up the food and drank the wine of the house of Odysseus in his absence. Their greed, lust, and disregard for the laws of hospitality ultimately resulted in their brutal demise at the hand of Odysseus. Odysseus is not the only hero that encounters dangers at the hands of unwelcoming strangers. Sinbad, the hero of the stories included in The Arabian Nights, encountered a beast quite similar to the man eating, Polyphemus of The Odyssey. For Sinbad disaster struck when seeking refuge in an abandoned, castle courtyard. Soon after sleep took the men, they awakened to a hungry giant. The giant examined the men and each night devoured the plumpest of the crew. This giant completely rejected any ideas of hospitality, instead showing his hunger and greed. His neglection of common courtesy to the guests of his home resulted in the loss of his sight as Sinbad and his men stuck hot rods into his eyes to manage their escape.

When crossing borders to explore foreign lands, whether it be in ancient literature or in modern day society, humans expect to be treated fairly as a guest and conversely, the host expects the same respect. The concept of xenia present in works such as The Odyssey and The Arabian Nights shows this basic concept of humanity. Through rewarding those that abide by the sacred law of Zeus and punishing those that neglect it, these texts successfully enforce and reaffirm the need for hospitality and respect among different people when crossing borders.