Student Iota
Ancient Customs and Manners in Homer’s Odyssey
Odyssey, written by Homer, is about Odysseus’ homecoming from the Trojan War. When he is on the way of returning home, Odysseus, a Greek hero, confronts with many different situations, such as being blown by the storm of Poseidon, and delayed by Calypso. When Telemakhos, the son of Odysseus, goes on a journey to find out whether his father is dead, he gets help from Athena. She was disguised as Mentes, Odysseus’ old friend, not in order to make Telemkahos be afraid of her. She helped him to find his father because she pities Odysseus, saying to her father, Zeus, “my own heart is broken for Odysseus” (Book I, line 64) On Telemakhos’ journey, the Ancient Greek customs and manners, such as offering hospitality to stranger and respecting the seniors, are described in detail.
Offering hospitality to the strangers was considered one of the Ancient Greek customs and manners. When Athena, disguised as Mentes, visits Telemakhos’, he is hospitable to the stranger without knowing the identity of Mentes. Telemakho brings “his painted armchair” (Book I, line 160) and offers her with foods on his precious, fancy plates. His maid brought “a silver finger bowl” with “a beautiful spouting golden jug” (Book I, line 164) and then drew “a polished table” (Book I, line 169) to them. Today, hosts bring out their fancy china to the guests showing hospitality. We now see it was derived from the custom of the Ancient Greece. However, in this case, Telemakhos offers Mentes before he knows who Mentes is. Homer shows that the Greek people, including Telmeakhos, were very hospitable to the mere strangers.
Respecting the seniors was one of the manners in the Ancient time. When Athena, disguised as Metnes, takes Telemakhos to Pylos, where Nestor lives, they wanted to know where Odysseus is, so they go to see Nestor, the prince of Charioteers and an old friend of Odysseus. When the people at Pylos start the feast welcoming the guests, Nestor offers Telmakhos and Mentes with “the honeyed wine cup” (Book III, line 49) and passes the goblet first to Mentes, since he is “the senior” (Book III, line 3). In Nestor’s conversation describes the Ancient Greek people respected the seniors as much as we do in these days.
In Homer’s Odyssey, offering hospitality and respecting the seniors were considered as the customs and manners in the Ancient Greece, which still can be found in these days.
Ancient Customs and Manners in Homer’s Odyssey
Odyssey, written by Homer, is about Odysseus’ homecoming from the Trojan War. When he is on the way of returning home, Odysseus, a Greek hero, confronts with many different situations, such as being blown by the storm of Poseidon, and delayed by Calypso. When Telemakhos, the son of Odysseus, goes on a journey to find out whether his father is dead, he gets help from Athena. She was disguised as Mentes, Odysseus’ old friend, not in order to make Telemkahos be afraid of her. She helped him to find his father because she pities Odysseus, saying to her father, Zeus, “my own heart is broken for Odysseus” (Book I, line 64) On Telemakhos’ journey, the Ancient Greek customs and manners, such as offering hospitality to stranger and respecting the seniors, are described in detail.
Offering hospitality to the strangers was considered one of the Ancient Greek customs and manners. When Athena, disguised as Mentes, visits Telemakhos’, he is hospitable to the stranger without knowing the identity of Mentes. Telemakho brings “his painted armchair” (Book I, line 160) and offers her with foods on his precious, fancy plates. His maid brought “a silver finger bowl” with “a beautiful spouting golden jug” (Book I, line 164) and then drew “a polished table” (Book I, line 169) to them. Today, hosts bring out their fancy china to the guests showing hospitality. We now see it was derived from the custom of the Ancient Greece. However, in this case, Telemakhos offers Mentes before he knows who Mentes is. Homer shows that the Greek people, including Telmeakhos, were very hospitable to the mere strangers.
Respecting the seniors was one of the manners in the Ancient time. When Athena, disguised as Metnes, takes Telemakhos to Pylos, where Nestor lives, they wanted to know where Odysseus is, so they go to see Nestor, the prince of Charioteers and an old friend of Odysseus. When the people at Pylos start the feast welcoming the guests, Nestor offers Telmakhos and Mentes with “the honeyed wine cup” (Book III, line 49) and passes the goblet first to Mentes, since he is “the senior” (Book III, line 3). In Nestor’s conversation describes the Ancient Greek people respected the seniors as much as we do in these days.
In Homer’s Odyssey, offering hospitality and respecting the seniors were considered as the customs and manners in the Ancient Greece, which still can be found in these days.