Christopher Nolan's new adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic, 'The Odyssey,' hinges on the concept of 'Zeus' Law,' a principle that governs the sacred guest-host relationship known as xenia. This ancient code dictates the obligations and respect owed between hosts and guests, and its observance or violation is a significant element within the narrative.
In ancient Greek texts, a person's inherent goodness is partly measured by their adherence to the principles of hospitality. Characters like Telemachus are portrayed as noble because they extend hospitality to strangers and beggars, providing them with sustenance. Conversely, the suitors in 'The Odyssey' are depicted as lacking this virtue, as they mistreat and mock those they consider beneath them.
The Trojan War itself, according to Greek mythology, is initiated by a breach of xenia. Paris, a Trojan prince, violated the trust of his host, King Menelaus of Sparta, by abducting his wife, Helen. While the abduction serves as the catalyst, some interpretations, as noted in the film's discussion of Odysseus, suggest that the invasion was also fueled by Menelaus' brother, Agamemnon's, ambition to plunder the wealthy city of Troy.
Throughout Homer's epic, there are cautionary references to the 'Sea People,' identified as pirates who disregarded 'Zeus' Law.' Historians theorize that the plundering activities of these groups, among other factors, contributed to the onset of a Dark Age in Greece, a period marked by a decline in literacy and the loss of written records.