Homeric hospitality is a total social phenomenon in which interactions with the ‘other’ are regulated to maintain social order and to confer mutual benefits on guest and host alike. The theatre of social interactions in Homeric society is the oikos. The underpinning principles of paradigmatic hospitality are respect by guest and host for the role of the other and willing co-operation/co-operative goodwill in fulfilling these roles. The principles reflect the complementary divine impetus, reflected in themis, and the social necessity of dealing with the ambiguity of the stranger. Transgressions of hospitality are of concern to the gods, notably Zeus Xeinios. Such disrespect is a threat to order which has a cosmic dimension. Hence, corrective action is needed. I explore the Homeric meta theme of the restoration of order through hospitality in the Odyssey which is my primary focus. Hospitality colours in the background to the Iliad and comes to the fore on occasion, notably in Priam’s visit to Achilles. Restoration of order in the Odyssey is achieved at a societal level through Odysseus’ punishment of the Suitors. Key findings are the identification of the podalic motif of disrespect and the significance of the seer Theoklymenos in his own right as a refugee. Order is restored in the Iliad at an individual level through the resolution of Achilles’ wrath, in which the transformation of ransom into hospitality is crowned by Achilles’ repurposing part of the ransom for Hektor’s body into a xeinēïon for Priam. This study offers new insights into the Homeric epics and makes an ancient-world contribution to the expanding multi-disciplinary field of hospitality studies.

This seminar is Fiona’s oral presentation of her PhD research.