[category]
[title]
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is already one of the most talked about films of the year, but if you haven’t brushed up on your Greek mythology lately, you might be wondering what all the fuss is actually about.
Based on Homer’s ancient epic, the film follows Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, as he attempts to make his way home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. What should be a journey home becomes a ten year odyssey involving monsters, mythical creatures, dangerous encounters and some very complicated questions about war, loyalty and what we owe one another.
And somewhere in the middle of all that is an ancient Greek principle that feels surprisingly relevant to modern South Africa.
It’s called xenia, or Zeus’ Law.
At its heart, xenia was a sacred code of hospitality governing the relationship between hosts and guests. Strangers were supposed to be welcomed with food, shelter and protection before their identity or intentions were even established. Guests, in turn, were expected to show gratitude and respect.
This wasn’t simply good manners. In the world of The Odyssey, hospitality was a moral code, with Zeus regarded as its protector. Breaking that sacred trust could have serious consequences.
So what does an Ancient Greek rule have to do with this?
Quite a lot, actually.
One of the things that makes Nolan’s The Odyssey so interesting is the way it turns xenia into something bigger than simply being a good host. The film connects the breaking of this code to betrayal, violence and the erosion of trust.
And that raises an interesting question closer to home.
As South Africans, we are often celebrated for our warmth, generosity and spirit of ubuntu. Whether it’s inviting neighbours over for a braai, giving directions to a lost visitor or making someone feel instantly welcome, hospitality is something we like to think we do rather well.
But we also live in a country where trust doesn’t always come easily.
Many people think twice before opening their front gate to a stranger or stopping to help someone on the side of the road. Stories of scams, hijackings and house robberies have made caution a necessary part of everyday life for many South Africans.
So where does that leave us?
Hospitality without naivety
Perhaps Zeus’ Law isn’t asking us to throw caution out the window.
Maybe it’s asking us to think about what happens when we stop seeing other people as strangers and start seeing them as part of a community.
What would South Africa look like if neighbours knew each other better? If communities looked out for one another? If visitors could experience the warmth we are famous for without anyone having to compromise their safety?
That’s what makes this ancient Greek idea so interesting.
The Odyssey is ultimately a story about a man trying to get home, but it is also a story about the choices people make along the way and what those choices reveal about them.
And thousands of years later, the question behind Zeus’ Law still feels pretty familiar.
Could we be more hospitable without being naive?
Now that feels like a very South African conversation.
Follow Time Out Durban on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok! To get the coolest news, features, and things to do straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter.
TIME OUT DURBAN RECOMMENDS:
📍 The best things to do in Durban
🍽 The best restaurants in Durban
🏨 The best hotels in Durban
🛏️ Where to stay in Durban