Xenia (Greek)

Xenia ( ) 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 (Hellenes not from your polis) was understood as a moral obligation, as well as a political imperative. Hospitality towards foreign Hellenes 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'' . Provided by Wikipedia