The Greek ideal of reciprocity is highly evident in the Phaeacian society that rescues Odysseus after his ship is destroyed. Not only do they feed and clothe the tired warrior, they give him “richly wrought gold and other gifts” (Odyssey, 13.11), items which they will later have to “recoup ourselves later with a general tax, [since] it is hard to make such generous gifts alone” (12.15-16). This extreme sign of generosity for someone they just met is clearly the extreme end of xenia, which serves as a stark contrast with those creatures he has met on his journey. Not only do the Phaeacians give Odysseus material items, they also give him travel back home. The Phaeacians mirror exactly what a perfect Greek city-state should be. They are extremely
