Hospitality In The Odyssey

The hospitality of the Greeks is a central theme in Homer's Odyssey. Much of Homer's epic poem is devoted to descriptions of the feasting and gift giving by generous hosts. Hospitality is concerned with the relationship between guest and host, and focuses on the exchange of wealth, knowledge and accommodation. The conventions of Greek hospitality serve a number of purposes, such as pleasing the gods, pleasing guests, spreading a good reputation throughout the known world and establishing bonds with other families and cities.

In ancient Greece the practice of hospitality is motivated by a desire to please the Gods. All dinners and feasts are accompanied by libations to the Gods. Guests and hosts make such offerings as honeyed wine and charred meat to Olympian Gods and lesser deities such as nymphs. When Telémachus arrives in Pylos he finds a feast in honour of Poseidon underway. The sacred feast includes the seaside sacrifice of jet-black bulls and offerings of burnt thighbones. Nestor welcomes Telémachus and Athena with these words “Pray now to lord Poseidon, stranger: we would honour him with this festivity” (42). The guests pray to Poseidon and make offerings of wine from a golden, two-handled cup. When Nestor realises that the Goddess Athena has visited his feast he prepares an elaborate sacrifice. Nestor proclaims to Athena “I'll sacrifice to you a broad-browed heifer, one year old, unbroken, not yet subject to yoke, and I shall overlay her horns with gold” (54). Nestor shows his devotion to the Gods in detailed rituals and extravagant sacrifices. Throughout The Odyssey many such rituals and sacrifices occur to gain the favour of Gods and spirits.

The Greeks also believed that treating strangers with hospitality pleased the Gods. Throughout Homer's Odyssey, Zeus is repeatedly referred to as the God of supplicants and beggars so ...