Student Gamma
Mr. Wu
Year 9 English
28 May 2015
Ancient Customs
Greece is one of the oldest countries in Europe, even in the world. This is not just because of it is a beautiful country. It is also about the ancient customs and manners that people in there had, which made Greece a strong country. After reading the amazing story The Odyssey, I think I can infer some of them.
A custom that the ancient Greek had is that the feast host treated strangers with foods and drinks before they tell their errands. When the grey-eyed goddess Athena was ordered by Zeus to come to Ithaka, to help Telémakhos, the son of Odysseus, to fortify himself with knowledge. Telémakhos said to her; “Greeting, stranger! Welcome to our feast. There will be time to tell your errand later.” (Book I, line 151 to 152) This is a perfect paradigm of this custom. When Telémakhos said to Athena, the word “Stranger” shows that he didn't not knew Athena, but he still said “Welcome” to her. This shows that some of the people in ancient Greece were very nice. The funniest thing is that he asked Athena to tell her errand afterward. I think this is also very smart, because after the feast, if Athena didn't tell people about her self, she will be embracing everyone.
Another custom that they had is that they needed to pray and invoke to their gods. When Athena and Telémakhos traveled to Pylos town to find information and news about his father Odysseus, they went to a feast hosted by old Nestor. Peisístratos, the son of old Nestor, said to Athena: “Friend, I must ask you to invoke Poseidon, you find us at the feast, kept in his honor. Make the appointed offering then, and pray.” (Book III, line 46 to 54) This is an example of this custom. Peisístratos asked everybody that came to the feast to pray to the gods before eating. This custom shows that the Greek are religious, and rites are necessary before enjoying anything. They had to said thank you to the gods.
Again, I think we can learn a lot about the ancient customs and manners from Homer’s Odyssey. We learn that people treated others, even strangers, with foods and drinks before they tell their errands; we also learn that people prayed to their gods before enjoying anything. These are the customs that make Greece a strong, friendly country.
Mr. Wu
Year 9 English
28 May 2015
Ancient Customs
Greece is one of the oldest countries in Europe, even in the world. This is not just because of it is a beautiful country. It is also about the ancient customs and manners that people in there had, which made Greece a strong country. After reading the amazing story The Odyssey, I think I can infer some of them.
A custom that the ancient Greek had is that the feast host treated strangers with foods and drinks before they tell their errands. When the grey-eyed goddess Athena was ordered by Zeus to come to Ithaka, to help Telémakhos, the son of Odysseus, to fortify himself with knowledge. Telémakhos said to her; “Greeting, stranger! Welcome to our feast. There will be time to tell your errand later.” (Book I, line 151 to 152) This is a perfect paradigm of this custom. When Telémakhos said to Athena, the word “Stranger” shows that he didn't not knew Athena, but he still said “Welcome” to her. This shows that some of the people in ancient Greece were very nice. The funniest thing is that he asked Athena to tell her errand afterward. I think this is also very smart, because after the feast, if Athena didn't tell people about her self, she will be embracing everyone.
Another custom that they had is that they needed to pray and invoke to their gods. When Athena and Telémakhos traveled to Pylos town to find information and news about his father Odysseus, they went to a feast hosted by old Nestor. Peisístratos, the son of old Nestor, said to Athena: “Friend, I must ask you to invoke Poseidon, you find us at the feast, kept in his honor. Make the appointed offering then, and pray.” (Book III, line 46 to 54) This is an example of this custom. Peisístratos asked everybody that came to the feast to pray to the gods before eating. This custom shows that the Greek are religious, and rites are necessary before enjoying anything. They had to said thank you to the gods.
Again, I think we can learn a lot about the ancient customs and manners from Homer’s Odyssey. We learn that people treated others, even strangers, with foods and drinks before they tell their errands; we also learn that people prayed to their gods before enjoying anything. These are the customs that make Greece a strong, friendly country.