Hospitality in Greek Society

Paper Summary:

This paper examines ancient Greek hospitality and the role it played in the expansion of the Greek empire. It particularly looks at the comfort provided to travelers. The paper describes the Greek belief that good hospitality is rewarded by the help of the gods.

From the Paper:

"To this day I have kept this house free from harm" (Euripides, 9). This quotation from the play Alcestis, demonstrated the role of hospitality in ancient Greek life. Apollo was the god being quoted. Apollo was forced by his father Zeus, king of the gods to work as a common cattle herder. Apollo went to the house of Admetus seeking such hospitalities as food, water, and shelter. Admetus granted such hospitality and was repaid with a favor from the god. Admetus had been selected by the fates to die. Apollo had tricked the fates as a favor. Admetus was allowed to find another soul who would die in his place. However, he could find no one willing except his good wife, Alcestis. Hospitality was an idea that was created by the Greeks out of necessity that help expanded the civilization. This idea of hospitality was one that means if someone was hospitable, then he was rewarded; the reward might have been help by the gods, or the person might of made a friend or created an alliance with another city. The idea of hospitality was a vital part of ancient Greece society as was demonstrated in the play Alcestis."

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