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 guestfriends, which results in them exchanging gifts, just as their fathers once had3 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
Diomedes 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

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 fathers
houseGreat Oeneus Bellerophon exchanged presents5 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

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

on separate sides of the Trojan War; let us avoid one anothers spears even during a general
engagement7
Furthermore, they decide to carry on and strengthen their xenia by trading armors; gifts.
We two will exchange armor8 This trading of armor is significant since we just learned that
their grandfathers exchanged presents9 and now Diomedes and Glaucous are doing something
similar. The xenia is resulting in them strengthening the old ties that subsist between10 them,
instead of fighting, meaning it has essentially prevented the natural force of death. However, the
xenia that Glaucous and Diomedes share is limited to their lineage; it does not secure their fate in
future battles. In other words, it does not save them from the other Argives and Greeks that are
willing to fight them. There are many noble Trojans and allies whom I can kill so again with
yourself, there are many Achaeans whose lives you may take if you can11Glaucous is here saying
that there are plenty of other soldiers in the Trojan War that they have no relations (xenia) with, and
thus they can easily trade armors with each other. However, this is rather ironic since they are
merely stalling their deaths, and agreeing to killing each others comrades.
Glaucous and Diomedes meeting has a function not yet discussed, since it also
foreshadows the end of the Iliad; the xenia that will take place between Achilles and Priam. Achilles
killed Priams son Hector in an act of vengeance after he had killed his best friend Patroclus.
However, Achilles abused and kept Hectors body, refusing to give it to Priam. It is not until Thetis

7 Fagles, 144
8 Ibid, 145
9 Ibid, 144
10 Ibid, 145
11 Ibid, 145

tells him that the gods are angry with you that you keep Hector and will not let him go12 he
agrees to hand Hectors body over to Priam in return for a ransom. What causes the gods anger
with Achilles is his breach of xenia, which will be resolved when he exchanges values with Priam
creating a sense of xenia between them.
The xenia they create turns out to be stronger than this, which is already evident when
Priam meets Achilles. I am now come to ransom his body from you with a great ransom. Fear,
O Achilles, the wrath of heaven; think on your own father and have compassion upon me...13 Priam
is here asking for Hectors body mentioning that the breach of xenia will upset the gods. However
he also mentions Achilles father Peleus which refers back to the simile of the leaves and the natural
force of death, since Achilles will die soon and might not see his father again. Thus, the image of
men falling like leaves and being replaced with new generations is presented in a new context
where xenia is also included.
It has been established that Priam has lost his son and Achilles is without his father. Thus
when Priam ask Achilles to show him xenia, have compassion upon me14, and the two wept
bitterly15 the xenia has connected them in a way that indicates that they in that moment are each
others family. This is also seen when they eat together There, noble sir, let us two now take
food16 which according to Wilson is a classic symbol of xenia.17 Furthermore, after having eating,

12 Ibid, 611
13 Ibid, 626
14 Ibid, 626
15 Ibid, 627
16 Ibid, 631
17 Wilson, p. 370

the force of xenia lets Priam marvel at the strength and beauty of Achilles,[] and Achilles
marvelled at Priam.18 Thus the xenia has provided Priam and Achilles with a chance to mourn
their loved ones, which is also seen when Priam asks for 12 days to mourn Hector and Achilles
obeys I will stay our fighting for as long a time as you have named19. Once again, the force of
xenia is stalling the natural force of death like it did with Glaucous and Diomedes, however here it
is also letting Priam mourn his lost son.

The meeting between Glaucous and Diomedes showed how the natural force of xenia can
prevent the natural force of death. However, it was merely foreshadowing the greatest aspect of
xenia in the Iliad, which was found between Achilles and Priam. Their story extends the previous
showing that not only can xenia stall death it can create sympathy as well, by giving Achilles and
Priam time to heal and an opportunity to look past the death and appreciate each other. This
something relevant for humans since in the Iliad, xenia is connected to death and the mortals. This
shows that xenia is a human phenomenon un-obtainable to the gods, and how grave the
consequences are when you breach it. However, Achilles and Priams story depicts the greatness
that can come from creating xenia. This is illustrated by Achilles who disregarded xenia and caused
death. However when the xenia is created between Achilles and Priam it prevents death and war,
and allows them to feel sympathy for each other. Achilles has then shown that xenia is the
politeness and humanity between the leaves that are born to fall. It is what makes him human, what
makes us all human.

18 Fagles, 632
19 Ibid, 633

Bibliography
Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece. Wilson, Nigel. Routledge, 2013. 832.
The Iliad. Fagles, Robert. Penguin Classics, 1992. 704.