The Natural Force of Xenia in the Iliad

The Iliad is an epic poem by Homer that tells the story of the final months of the Trojan

War, while also teaching its reader about humanity and the natural force of xenia. Over the course of the Iliad the natural force of death is undermined by that of xenia, showing that xenia has the ability to stall death and allow Achilles and Priam to sympathize with each other. Xenia is a Greek word that refers to the relationship between a host and guest, which explains the English translation

“guest-friendship”. In his book “Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece” Wilson defines xenia as “one of the most hallowed in Greek culture.”1 Wilson then continues, “if a persons father had formed a guest-friendship with another man, the son could expect hospitality from the same household, even if neither the father nor the original host was still alive.”2 He then uses the example of Glaucous and Diomedes whom in the midst of a battle discover that their dead grandfathers were guest- friends, which results in them exchanging “gifts, just as their fathers once had”3 which alludes to the concept of Xenia. This essay will include the simile and passage of Glaucous and Diomedes as a primary example of the natural force of death and xenia. However, the ´guest-friendship´ between

Glaucous and Diomedes is incomparable to that of Achilles and Priam which is arguable the biggest act of xenia in the Iliad. In order to fully understand this, we have to look at Glaucous and

Diomede’s meeting on the battlefield, how it is affected by xenia, and lastly the meeting between

Achilles and Priam and how xenia allows them to sympathize with one another.

1 Wilson, p. 369 2 Ibid, p. 369 3 Ibid, p. 369

1 With this definition of xenia, the effect it has on the Iliad can be further explored.

Glaucous’ simile of fallen leaves revolves around the natural force of death, however this force becomes undermined by that of xenia. When Diomedes asks for Glaucous’ lineage he finds it unnecessary since they are in the middle of a war and are both leaves born to die. “Men come and go as leaves year by year upon the trees. Those of autumn the wind sheds upon the ground, but when spring returns the forest buds forth with fresh vines...4” Glaucous does not understand why his lineage matters when the natural force of death will sweep him away like a leaf, and replace him with a new one. Regardless, he tells his lineage to Diomedes who is also taken aback by a natural force. However this time it is the force of xenia since he discovers their shared guest-friendship.

“Thus did he speak, and the heart of Diomedes was glad. You are an old friend of my father’s house…Great Oeneus… Bellerophon… exchanged presents”5 Diomedes is here realizing that

Glaucous’ grandfather had been a guest of Diomedes’ grandfather, and that the gifts they gave each other were tokens of their guest-friendship – their xenia. Thus, when these gifts were passed on to

Glaucous and Diomedes, so was the xenia. The death of their grandfathers does not prevent this, as shown in the before mentioned quote from the ‘Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece’ “even if neither the father nor the original host was still alive.”6

The xenia between Glaucous and Diomedes has significant consequences for how their battle evolves. Due to xenia and out of their hospitality they do not fight each other, despite being on separate sides of the Trojan War; “let us avoid one another’s spears even during a general engagement”7

4 Fagles, 141 5 Ibid, 144 6 Wilson, p. 369 7 Fagles, 144

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