In the epic poem, The Odyssey, the poet, Homer, portrays the social significance of hospitality in the ancient Greek culture. Hospitality marks a godly and virtuous act to the ancient Greeks. To be generous and welcoming towards a guest reveals an indication of a god- fearing, religious individual with upright morals and integrity. In contrast, to be unwelcoming or to take advantage of the goodness and hospitality of another portrays a disgraceful, ungodly act, for which the perpetrator deserves punishment. Homer reveals the significance of and the strong religious ties to hospitality in the ancient Greek culture through the life events of the protagonist, Odysseus.
             The protagonist, Odysseus, had been trapped for eight years on an island, and when he starts his voyage home, he gets shipwrecked on to a land unknown to him. Odysseus does not know anything about the type of people that live on the land, as he says, "what are the people whose land I have come to this time,and are they violent and savage, and without justice,or hospitable to strangers, with a godly mind?" it was very important to Odysseus if the people on this land were hospitable to strangers, to know if these people could help him. On the beach, as noble Odysseus awakens and hears the voice of young ladies. Odysseus approaches one of the girls with complements, and solicits modestly for some rags to cover him with and to show him the town. The stunning princess Nausikaa replies,
             But now, since it is our land and our city that
             you shall not lack for clothing nor anything
             which befall the unhappy suppliant on his
             and I will show you our town, and tell you the
             Then she spoke to her attendants, and gave instructions.
             But, since this is some poor wanderer who has
             we must take care of him, since all strangers and
             are sacred in the sight of Zeus, and the gift is
             So, my attendants, give some food and drin
             ...