Xenia (Greek)

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Xenia (Ancient Greek: ξενία [kse'ni.a]) is an ancient Greek concept of hospitality. It is almost always translated as 'guest-friendship' or 'ritualized friendship'. It is an institutionalized relationship rooted in generosity, gift exchange, and reciprocity. Historically, hospitality towards foreigners and guests was understood as a moral obligation, as well as a political imperative. Hospitality towards foreigners honored Zeus Xenios (and Athene Xenia), patrons of foreigners. The rituals of hospitality created and expressed a reciprocal relationship between guest and host expressed in both material benefits (e.g., gifts, protection, shelter) as well as non-material ones (e.g., favors, certain normative rights). The word is derived from xenos 'stranger'.

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