Hospitality of Guest in The Greek Culture Represented in Iliad

Introduction

Hospitality shows the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers through unselfishness and goodwill. In Greek culture, hospitality is demonstrated as a great level of respect with a massive feast and days of celebration. The Greeks began using hospitality as a sign of welcoming travelers into their land. Hospitality remains a crucial aspect of life, and every business still strives to make a guest's experience the most exciting thing. Greeks believed that if they showed good respect to others, the gods would make their lives better. In the "Iliad," there is a depiction of being very hospitable, taking advantage of someone's hospitality, and neglecting to care for others at all. Good hospitality is where the host organizes an event for a guest without expecting anything in return.

Hospitality in the "Iliad"

In the "Iliad," Book VI, there is a conversation between Diomedes and the Lycian prince, two people who have never met before. However, since their ancestors were friends and exchanged gifts, it meant that during the war, they would respect this bond. Even in the thick of battle, they choose not to fight each other:

"There are enough Trojans and allies for me to kill, whomever a god gives me and I can run down myself. And enough Greeks for you to kill as you can. And let’s exchange armor, so everyone will know that we are friends from our fathers’ days" (Homer, Book VI: 122-132).

Since their grandfathers exchanged gifts, these two men and their families will not shed each other's blood, even though they are on two different sides of the war. Once the men decided not to fight at all, Zeus felt the need to take away the prince's valuables. Although in this culture, it is morally right to do what the ancestors thought was right, Zeus decided to take his precious valuables. However, the prince now has a sense of loyalty and self-respect from the altercation. This episode highlights how good hospitality can be easily taken advantage of by those with ulterior motives.

Hospitality and Manipulation

In the "Iliad," Book IX, Agamemnon did everything Zeus asked him to do, build an army, and train them. Even with all he had done, there was no chance for his army to win the war. Agamemnon sent his men to find Achilles in his tent, and once they found him, the first thing Achilles did was welcome them. Despite knowing their intentions, he still offered them a feast:

"A large bowl, son of Menoetius, and stronger wine, and cups all around. Then he cast a carving block down in the firelight and set on it a sheep’s back and a goat’s, and a hog chine too, marbled with fat" (Homer, Book IX: 132-148).

The men came to seek his aid but took advantage of his hospitality, trying to persuade him to join a war he had already fought in. This demonstrates how hospitality can sometimes be manipulated for personal gain.

Betrayal of Hospitality

In some cases, such as when Troy stole Helen from her land after a challenge had been put up for her hand in marriage, hospitality is blatantly disregarded. Despite centuries of animosity between the Greeks and the Trojans, the Trojans decided to kidnap the prized possession of the Greeks. This act of betrayal ignited a conflict similar to the historical animosities between the Sunnis and Tutsis, where war became the only resolution. The Trojan people's decision to disregard the gods' rules of respect and hospitality by taking the one thing the Greeks valued most was seen as the ultimate disrespect. In the culture of the time, this was considered the most dishonorable act a “man” could do to another “man.” Since that moment, the majority of wars have stemmed from disputes over one man taking over another man's land.

Conclusion

Hospitality shows the reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers through unselfishness and goodwill. It is the focal point of Greek culture, helping people feel connected with the gods. They would achieve this by hosting grand parties and treating every guest, even an enemy, with great respect. Hospitality remains an integral part of the modern world, extending from homes to schools and businesses. A display of poor hospitality could lead to a guest never returning. In the instance of the "Iliad," the Greeks felt that the only way to resolve the conflict was through war. Without hospitality, the world would be rife with anxiety about when the next major tragedy might unfold.

References

• Homer. (n.d.). The Iliad. (R. Lattimore, Trans.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. (Original work published ca. 8th century BCE)