Xenia Flashcards
In book 1 Telemachus shows model hospitality to Athene as Mentes. Good xenia reflects honour and respect for both mortals and gods, reinforcing social order. This provides a benchmark for xenia throughout
‘He went straight up to the visitor, grasped his right hand, took his bronze spear and gave him cordial greetings’
‘a maid came with water…. a silver basin… a fine gold jug… brought some bread… filled with wine…’
Refer to your notes about the code of xenia
The suitors abuse of xenia
‘they helped themselves to the good things spread before them… satisfied their hunger and thirst…’
Plotting to kill Telemachus.
Eurymachus’ relationship with Melantho
Their ill effect on the household (oikos) of Odysseus as demonstrated by staff.
Amongst loads of other examples.
Does Odysseus always stick to xenia on his travels? Particularly book 9
‘The same wind that wafted me from Ilium brought me to Ismarus, the city of the Cicones. I sacked this place and destroyed it’s menfolk’
Enters the cyclops cave uninvited and then says we ‘helped ourselves to some of the cheeses’
Odysseus story (flashback) from book 9-12 is his gift of xenia to the Phaeacians
‘Where shall I begin, where end my tale?’
11 - they enjoy the story! - ‘Odysseus stopped speaking. Held by the spell of his words they all remained silent and still’
Cyclops rejects the order of xenia
‘We Cyclopes care nothing for Zeus or his rules for guests’
Laestrygonians abuse xenia
‘the famous Antiphates… pouncing on one of my men to eat him for supper’
Circe abuses xenia - consider her status - is she punished? Hermes needed to support Odysseus in helping him overcome it. Maybe she gives good xenia with her later instructions and help.
‘Now they had pigs heads and bristles and they grunted like pigs’
Calypso abuses xenia. She tells Hermes she isn’t happy to let him go. Maybe she gives good xenia with her later support in tools and a gentle breeze.
‘At nights it is true he had to sleep with her… cold lover, ardent lady. But the days found him… torturing himself with tears, groans and heartache’
She keeps him prisoner on Ogygia.
Eumaeus gives great xenia though he is of a low status - showing his character to be admirable, god fearing, loyal and ultimately good
‘stranger.. do have some sucking pig, which is all we servants can offer you’
‘The swineherd jumped up, placed a bed for him by the fire and spread on it the skins of sheep and goats’
The Phaeacians offer good xenia - with a little blips here and there
Athene ‘the people here have little affection for strangers and do not welcome visitors with open arms’
‘Alcinous it is unseemly and unlike your royal ways to let a stranger sit in the ashes at the hearth’
Obviously after this he is given food, drink, a place to stay and even a bit of an offer to marry Nausicaa! SO they do show good xenia however Homer provides a bit of uncertainty for entertainment.
