This understanding of Zeus as the protector of hospitality and 'good manners' reveals how the ancients understood something profound that our modern, hyper-individualized world has completely lost. For the Greeks, hospitality (xenia) wasn't just superficial etiquette; it was the sacred, unwritten law that held the fabric of civilization together—an early recognition of what Stifter called the sanfte Gesetz, the gentle law that binds humanity through small, daily acts of mutual care. When we reduce interactions to mere transactions or view strangers purely as liabilities or networking opportunities, we sever that vital connection. Zeus cared about manners because how you treat a stranger at your door isn't just a matter of politeness; it is the ultimate test of your character and a reflection of your fundamental reverence for the shared fragility of human existence
Indeed, it also points to another social aspect of the time.
Many modern retellings/adaptations of the Homeric Epics, see 2004's Troy as a chief example, approach the Trojan War through an imperialist critique. In today's age, trying to come to terms with the horrors of imperial mindsets and nationalistic tendencies is understandable. However, what such depictions/reading often seem to be missing is that neither the notions of nation nor imperialistic tendencies existed in Ancient Greece; despite what some still misunderstand, there was no 'Greek nation' back then, but rather a rough coalition of city-states that shared a similar enough language, customs, and tradition (sort of). What bound them was this adherence to tradition and customs. In an age when people were travelling far and wide, these xenia rules ensured not only safety but also a way to build reciprocal relations and trusted (social) bonds -- making such customs of the utmost importance for one another's well-being.
It would also stand to reason why they would be so prominent in the works of the Poets; after all, pretty much until the Socratics -- and arguably after -- the poets were the dominant figures of educating the youth in Ancient Greece -- which perhaps explains, to some extent, why Plato was so polemic towards them.
This is echoed in the Judeo-Christian tradition where you might be entertaining Angels. Additionally you are enjoined not to “glean” to the edge of your fields so others may benefit from that
And of course the ultimate definition/exhibition of xenia in the Odyssey is represented by the Phaeacians. Xenia is shown by Princess Nausicaa, King Alcinous and Queen Arete (interestingly, her name stands for the highest degree of excellence among the Greeks). Without the xenia of the Phaeacians, the Odyssey would not have had a happy ending for Odysseus! Oh, and Odysseus (finally) showed some xenia by treating Nausicaa with respect!
Yes, I enjoy that episode. One thing that has occurred to me is that the challenge to Odysseus to participate in the games is also a test: is he really elite, or simply a common sea captain who has been lying to them.
I never really thought about hospitality as the thing holding The Odyssey together, but this made me see it differently. It's funny how something that seems like simple good manners ends up becoming a way of revealing who people really are.
Manners are Manners. They are and have been upholded by the powerful and the elites of our societies for centuries across industries. Any key circle or industry you want to enter, you need manners. Even back then, Homer knew that.
"Pre coffee"- classic. I'm gonna use that one. Respectfully; it's time to deal with reality. And that involves erasing the philosophical aspect. Look what is proliferating in NY. As the example. Now get that cup of Joe.
Dear Classical Wisdom. Although I appreciate your efforts to enlightening the public regarding ancient knowledge and philosophy. I regret to inform you that all of the imaginary people that your publication so often refers to is a bunch of bullshit.
The purpose behind the argument is that we're, as Americans, experiencing real problems in real-time. Your influence is exponentially important. Therefore it's not appropriate to use past tence philosophy as any type of ramification with the matter. Although entertaining. It's not relevant.
Lucky, Us !? Thankfully nature is much more organized and predictable. Isn't it. And being the stewardship of nature and of It. It's only logical for humanity to optimize our civilization around natural laws. Our creations, in order with harmony, and the natural way of things. Looking at the results of the matter. There's a unnatural and contradictory force being thrust upon the entire ecosystem of natural and peaceful existence. Not on humanity only but upon nature itself.
Your reply seems extremely vague and as if your perspective is from the POV as if you are not concerned about the matter either way. Complicity is how we've been thrust into the darkness of materialistic coercive behavior. But I definitely can't disagree with that.
The human race has imposed an unnatural structure of entropy upon an unpredictable natural order. We are far from optimizing our society around natural laws. In Dubai, the land is a desert. The elites of that land have to resort to other methodologies like manipulating the clouds to rain or else they'd all die inside that heat if it weren't for that. An admirable way of survival, a respectable way to survive. Do what needs to be done. But we are far from optimizing our society around natural laws when things like that in Dubai occur all around the Earth in different forms and ways.
"Do What Thou Will." Apparently. Adapting with the environment didn't mean changing it. Even animals migrate naturally. Humanity has gone beyond the realm of adaptation into the void of omnipotence.
Exactly what I'm talking about! Adapting to the enviornment. However things like the weather are apart of the enviornment. And things like that shouldn't be artificially changed. Because it is apart of the natural order
This understanding of Zeus as the protector of hospitality and 'good manners' reveals how the ancients understood something profound that our modern, hyper-individualized world has completely lost. For the Greeks, hospitality (xenia) wasn't just superficial etiquette; it was the sacred, unwritten law that held the fabric of civilization together—an early recognition of what Stifter called the sanfte Gesetz, the gentle law that binds humanity through small, daily acts of mutual care. When we reduce interactions to mere transactions or view strangers purely as liabilities or networking opportunities, we sever that vital connection. Zeus cared about manners because how you treat a stranger at your door isn't just a matter of politeness; it is the ultimate test of your character and a reflection of your fundamental reverence for the shared fragility of human existence
Indeed, it also points to another social aspect of the time.
Many modern retellings/adaptations of the Homeric Epics, see 2004's Troy as a chief example, approach the Trojan War through an imperialist critique. In today's age, trying to come to terms with the horrors of imperial mindsets and nationalistic tendencies is understandable. However, what such depictions/reading often seem to be missing is that neither the notions of nation nor imperialistic tendencies existed in Ancient Greece; despite what some still misunderstand, there was no 'Greek nation' back then, but rather a rough coalition of city-states that shared a similar enough language, customs, and tradition (sort of). What bound them was this adherence to tradition and customs. In an age when people were travelling far and wide, these xenia rules ensured not only safety but also a way to build reciprocal relations and trusted (social) bonds -- making such customs of the utmost importance for one another's well-being.
It would also stand to reason why they would be so prominent in the works of the Poets; after all, pretty much until the Socratics -- and arguably after -- the poets were the dominant figures of educating the youth in Ancient Greece -- which perhaps explains, to some extent, why Plato was so polemic towards them.
This is echoed in the Judeo-Christian tradition where you might be entertaining Angels. Additionally you are enjoined not to “glean” to the edge of your fields so others may benefit from that
And of course the ultimate definition/exhibition of xenia in the Odyssey is represented by the Phaeacians. Xenia is shown by Princess Nausicaa, King Alcinous and Queen Arete (interestingly, her name stands for the highest degree of excellence among the Greeks). Without the xenia of the Phaeacians, the Odyssey would not have had a happy ending for Odysseus! Oh, and Odysseus (finally) showed some xenia by treating Nausicaa with respect!
I particularly like when he arrives and they all inform him - first pay your respects to the queen!
Yes, I enjoy that episode. One thing that has occurred to me is that the challenge to Odysseus to participate in the games is also a test: is he really elite, or simply a common sea captain who has been lying to them.
I never really thought about hospitality as the thing holding The Odyssey together, but this made me see it differently. It's funny how something that seems like simple good manners ends up becoming a way of revealing who people really are.
Manners are Manners. They are and have been upholded by the powerful and the elites of our societies for centuries across industries. Any key circle or industry you want to enter, you need manners. Even back then, Homer knew that.
"Pre coffee"- classic. I'm gonna use that one. Respectfully; it's time to deal with reality. And that involves erasing the philosophical aspect. Look what is proliferating in NY. As the example. Now get that cup of Joe.
Dear Classical Wisdom. Although I appreciate your efforts to enlightening the public regarding ancient knowledge and philosophy. I regret to inform you that all of the imaginary people that your publication so often refers to is a bunch of bullshit.
O D
I have no idea what you are talking about… perhaps you are inspired by Norse folk culture?
Yeah, that's what we're talking about. Vikings.
I was thinking trolls 🤣
Ha,😆 nice catch. But let's get real. The objective is to not learn from history but do away with philosophy.
Why would you do away with philosophy? I’m pre- coffee, you might have to clarify your position better.
"Pre-Coffee" I'm gonna use that one. Thanks.
The purpose behind the argument is that we're, as Americans, experiencing real problems in real-time. Your influence is exponentially important. Therefore it's not appropriate to use past tence philosophy as any type of ramification with the matter. Although entertaining. It's not relevant.
Exactly. Entropy. That's what the modern world is built on
Lucky, Us !? Thankfully nature is much more organized and predictable. Isn't it. And being the stewardship of nature and of It. It's only logical for humanity to optimize our civilization around natural laws. Our creations, in order with harmony, and the natural way of things. Looking at the results of the matter. There's a unnatural and contradictory force being thrust upon the entire ecosystem of natural and peaceful existence. Not on humanity only but upon nature itself.
Your reply seems extremely vague and as if your perspective is from the POV as if you are not concerned about the matter either way. Complicity is how we've been thrust into the darkness of materialistic coercive behavior. But I definitely can't disagree with that.
Your reply seems equally vague. However, I definitely could not agree more
The human race has imposed an unnatural structure of entropy upon an unpredictable natural order. We are far from optimizing our society around natural laws. In Dubai, the land is a desert. The elites of that land have to resort to other methodologies like manipulating the clouds to rain or else they'd all die inside that heat if it weren't for that. An admirable way of survival, a respectable way to survive. Do what needs to be done. But we are far from optimizing our society around natural laws when things like that in Dubai occur all around the Earth in different forms and ways.
"Do What Thou Will." Apparently. Adapting with the environment didn't mean changing it. Even animals migrate naturally. Humanity has gone beyond the realm of adaptation into the void of omnipotence.
Exactly what I'm talking about! Adapting to the enviornment. However things like the weather are apart of the enviornment. And things like that shouldn't be artificially changed. Because it is apart of the natural order
Now, that's something, that everyone can agree with. Cheers!
And best wishes regarding your latest project here on Substack.