- In Greek Mythology, the Myth of Sisyphus concerned King Sisyphus of Ephyra (Corinth), who was considered to have been the most deceitful of men.
- Sisyphus disobeyed Xenia, the Greek law of hospitality, and his punishment by Zeus was to roll a rock to the top of a hill for eternity.
The Concept of Xenia
- The God Zeus was the Protector of Guests, and overseer of Xenia, the Greek concept of Hospitality.
- The Rules of Xenia (Hospitality) were simple:
- The Host must respect the Guest, providing him with food and drink.
- The Guest must respect the Host, and be courteous in return.
- A violation of Xenia, was to disobey Zeus, and was therefore a violation of the authority of Zeus, which had to be punished by him.
- The ancient Greeks believed the Gods would disguise themselves as poor travelers and when granted Xenia, might reward the Host with a gift.
- However, to disobey Xenia was to disobey a religious Law, and punishment was to be expected.
Sisyphus deliberately disobeyed Xenia
- He offered Travelers and Guests Hospitality and then killed them, to spread fear of his Rule.
Sisyphus and Salmoneus
- Sisyphus hated his brother Salmoneus.
- Sisyphus seduced Salmoneus’ wife, Tyro, who bore him children. Sisyphus intended to use these heirs to replace Salmeoneus as Ruler. When Tyro discovered the Plot, she destroyed her children to prevent a challenge to Salmoneus.
Sisyphus deceived Thanatos, the God of Death
- Zeus instructed Thanatos to use chains to imprison Sisyphus in a deep abyss known as Tartaros, in the Underworld.
- Sisyphus deceived Thanatos into giving a demonstration of how the chains worked, during which he put Thanatos himself into chains.
- Without Thanatos (Death), no deaths could occur. The enraged Greek Gods demanded Thanatos be released, and Sisyphus was forced to free him.
The Punishment of Sisyphus
- Zeus decided to punish Sisyphus for breaking the law of Xenia.
- Zeus deceived Sisyphus into rolling a stone to the top of a hill, which always broke free near the top, rolling back down to the bottom. Sisyphus then had to start all over again pushing the stone to the top, only to find the stone broke free again.
- Sisyphus was condemned to a pointless and frustrating task for eternity.
Corinth