Xenios

Xenios is a Greek masculine given name and a term rooted in ancient Greek concepts of hospitality. It derives from xenos, meaning guest or stranger, and is related to xenia, the code of hospitality that governed relationships between hosts and guests in antiquity.

In Greek mythology, Zeus Xenios (also called Xenios Zeus) is the divine epithet of Zeus associated with hospitality and the protection of guests. As Zeus Xenios, the god supervised the proper treatment of travelers and guests, maintaining that hosts should provide shelter and sustenance while guests should show respect and gratitude. Violations of xenia—such as mistreatment of guests—were thought to incur divine disapproval and punishment, reflecting the sacred social contract between guest and host. The concept of xenia features prominently in classical literature, including Homeric epic, where hospitality serves as a moral and narrative focus.

In modern usage, Xenios remains primarily a personal name within Greece and Greek-speaking communities. It is encountered as a given name or as part of compound names, though it is less common outside Greek contexts. The related term xenia continues to be discussed in studies of Greek culture, hospitality practices, and ancient law.

See also Xenia; Zeus Xenios; Hospitality in ancient Greece.