Philosopher-Strangers: Xenia and Panhellenism in Plato’s Laws

Abstract

Since antiquity, there has been little consensus on how to interpret the identity of the anonymous Athenian Stranger of Plato’s Laws. This paper uses the Stranger’s identification as xenos as a starting point in examining the role of xenia in Plato’s Laws. In this dialogue, Plato uses xenia throughout the dialogue to portray philosophic relationships between characters from different poleis and to establish the importance of intercultural and Panhellenic exchange for philosophic friendship and the establishment of an ideal polis. The Laws shows that ideal polis must maintain peaceful and philosophical relations with other cities, and xenia makes this possible.