EP 62: When Zeus Came Knocking

About this episode

The episode explores the significance of hospitality in ancient Greece through the visit of Zeus and Hermes to an old couple.

When Zeus Came Knocking A visit by Zeus and Hermes to an old couple’s home in ancient Greece sparked a tradition that goes on even today. All ancient Greeks knew that hospitality to strangers could bring fortune. Inhospitality could lead to divine punishment. Violation of this tradition led to the Trojan war. Its unusual name — philoxenia — was one known to all Greeks. Listen as we encounter Hermes, Athene, Zeus, Demeter, Dionysus, Poseidon and the great hero Odysseus. If you love...

People in this episode

Host: Patrick Garner

Topics covered

• hospitality
• Greek mythology
• divine punishment
• tradition
• Trojan war
• philoxenia

Keywords

• Zeus
• Hermes
• hospitality
• philoxenia
• Trojan war
• Greek mythology
• divine punishment

More episodes of Garner's Greek Mythology

• EP 72 — The Golden Bough · June 3, 2026 · 21 min
• EP 71 -- Beyond The Grave · April 12, 2026 · 20 min
• EP 70 — The Gods in Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations · January 29, 2026 · 25 min
• EP 69 — Odysseus Takes the Long Way Home · November 21, 2025 · 23 min
• EP 68 — A Shaman in Ancient Greece · July 19, 2025 · 25 min
• EP 67: Strange & Obscure Tales (revised) · April 10, 2025 · 28 min