Why does Nestor invite Telemachus to the feast before knowing his identity?

In the Greek epic poem "The Odyssey" by Homer, Nestor, the king of Pylos, invites Telemachus to a feast before even knowing his identity. This seemingly peculiar hospitality can be attributed to various factors. Firstly, hospitality was a crucial aspect of Greek culture and was seen as a social and ethical obligation. Hosts were expected to welcome and accommodate strangers with warmth and generosity, treating them according to the laws of hospitality or xenia. A guest could be a god or goddess in disguise, and the fear of offending the gods by mistreating a guest was believed to attract divine retribution. Therefore, Nestor may have extended his hospitality to Telemachus out of a sense of duty and respect for traditional customs.

Was this helpful? No votes.