In Homer's Odyssey, hospitality and the relationship between guest and host was a powerful tradition in ancient Greek times, who built strong relationships and forged alliances. This guest-host relationship is known as Xenia, a pinnacle of Greek society, and is a major theme throughout The Odyssey and influences the plot of the story in very important ways. For many modern readers, Xenia is difficult to discern in terms of the guest-host relationship and how it is applied without learning it clearly. Fortunately, there are certain essential elements of hospitality that are necessary for a guest to be properly welcomed and received. Additionally, these essential demands of Xenia aid in the development of the plot, particularly near the end of the epic, when Odysseus abandons his disguise as a guest in his own home and is there to retrieve and restore it. The custom of Xenia was considered a measure of who was civilized, as well as being an important part of the religious aspect of Greek life. The Greeks believed that Zeus was the patron god of hospitality and that to honor a guest was to honor Zeus. They believed that failing to honor a guest would bring the wrath of the gods upon them. By representing the good Xenia, many people were able to spread the fame of their house and improve their own status. Xenia is evident in many different incidents throughout The Odyssey. Most of the first half of the epic depicts Telemachus and Odysseus being welcomed as guests in a foreign land. As each interaction develops, they each share common characteristics of hospitality. These features include the bath, the feast, the question of who the guest is, the guest's gift, and the promise of transportation and protection. However, throughout T...... middle of article...... an understanding of what establishes the guest-host relationship helps recognize the importance of Xenia's role. Being a good host and offering hospitality would lead to the discovery of a stranger's identity, which is seen during Odysseus' return. This plays a major role in the epic as Odysseus must reveal his identity to reclaim his house and rid it of the suitors who have moved into his palace. Thanks to Telemachus' hospitality towards Odysseus while disguised as a beggar, Odysseus is able to take the necessary steps to secure his home, determine who should be punished, and take the bow used to kill those who defied him, him and his wife. Hospitality is essential in the creation of this vital moment in the epic and what it was built on. Xenia defined who a person really was and ultimately helped Odysseus return home..