Reading through book 9 pages 211-229, Odyssey takes the time to tell his story about his voyage that lead him to where his standing today in Phaeacians’s Kingdom. As Odysseus tell about his adventure in the city of Cicones’ and the land of Cyclops it was brought to my attention how the ancient greek culture value of Xenia in Odyssey can be quite disturbing and intruding. The question that was brought to attention throughout Book 9 reading was is disobeying the Greek culture, Xenia, such a bad thing. Zeus being greek god , protector of travelers, holding xenon as a law being a concept of hospitality that has to be devoted to travelers. To allow strangers into your home having no jurisdiction or say.
The Cicones felt invaded and offended at Odysseus’s and his men who assumed to be squatting and feasting in the their home “There was too much wine to swill, too many sheep to slaughter…”(213) From this Cicones didn’t show much hospitality towards their visitor. As the warriors ate the “Cicones sought out other other Cicones”(213) and attacked Odysseus and his men “broke our lines and beats lies down at last”(213). Chased out off Ismarus island and coming across the land of Cyclops, encounter the same situation which is becoming very redundant for Odysseus’s and his men. The confrontation between the one-eyed beast, Polyphemus, and the Odysseus’s and his men is the centerpiece of how the greek culture of Xenia is not followed in everyones household. As the one-eyed beast is provoked by their presence Odysseus try to remind the beast Xenia law of the geeks “respect the gods, my friend. We’re suppliants…Zeus of Strangers guards all guest and suppliants:strangers are sacred-Zeus will avenge their rights!”(220) But Polyphemus challenges and responds “must be a fool, strangers…telling me to fear the gods or avoid their worth.”(220). This scene in Book 9 is essentially important for Odysseus as he intends to seek vigorous o Suitor who are invading his home where whom his wife Penelope tends to be home alone with.