odyssey

xenia definition, key features, 

• a reciprocal agreement between host and guest. a law sacred to zeus - violating it is a crime against zeus and believed to be worthy of punishment

• a stranger that arrived at a household would be offered food, drink, a bath, a bed, and provisions to leave if wanted before asking any questions

• the stranger must then give back a gift to their host- such as a story (very valuable gift, because greeks are gossips)

xenia quotes

• the divine calypso seated hermes on a brightly polished chair

• she bathed him first, and dressed him in sweet smelling clothes

• the messenger, the giant killer, began to eat and drink, and when he had dined and refreshed himself, he answered calypso’s questions

burnt offering

• animal sacrifise, involving killing a domestic animal on an altar whilst praying and singing hymns

• more expensive the animal the better the sacrifice

• ate the rest of the animal

libation

• pour away part of the wine they are drinking whilst praying

• performed whenever wine is drunk

first fruits

• gardeners sacrifised the first fruits of their harvest

• comedies make fun of this practise, but greeks seemed to believe in it anyway