Xenia

• Xenia is the Ancient Greek concept of Hospitality.
• The God Zeus was the Protector of Guests and overseer of Xenia.

What is Xenia?

• Xenia in Greek Mythology is the Ancient Greek concept of Hospitality.

The Rules of Xenia

• The Rules of Xenia (Hospitality) were simple:
  1. The Host must respect the Guest, providing him with food and drink.
  2. The Guest must respect the Host, and be courteous in return.
  3. 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.

Xenia in the Myth of Sisyphus

• Sisyphus
  • Sisyphus was King of Ephyra (Corinth) and Patron of Navigation and Commerce.
  • He was considered to have been the most deceitful of men.
• Sisyphus’ Crimes against Xenia
  • Sisyphus deliberately disobeyed Xenia
  • He offered Travelers and Guests Hospitality and then killed them, to spread fear of his Rule.
• Salmoneus
  • Sisyphus hated his brother Salmoneus.
  • Sisyphus seduced Salmoneus’ wife, Tyro, who bore him children. Sisyphus intended to use these heirs to replace Salmoneus as Ruler.
  • When Tyro discovered the Plot, she destroyed her children to prevent a challenge to Salmoneus.
• Sisyphus and Thanatos: Deceiving the God of Death
  • How Sisyphus deceived Thanatos:
  • 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.

Zeus’ Eternal 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 where the stone broke free again.
  • Sisyphus was doomed to a pointless and frustrating task for eternity.