Barbarism in the Greek Mindset

Literary Examples
Euripides wrote about the inherent inferiority of non-Greek peoples. Hermione stressed the sexual acts of Andromache with Neoptolemus as a means of currying favor with her husband’s murderer. Hermione then argued that barbarians have no customs barring incestuous sexual acts. Curiously enough, the barbaric nature of Andromache threatened Hermione’s position as the wife of Neoptolemus.

Achilles Tatius: Cleitophon commented on the lustful nature of Tereus, who had slept with both Procne and her sister, Philomela: “For the barbarians...one wife does not satisfy sexual desire, especially when there is an opportunity for rape.” Cleitophon also accused his rival Thersander of adopting barbaric practices, including the violation of sacred spaces with violent acts. Thersander beat Cleitophon before the altar of Artemis and defiled the sacred space with human blood.

Euripides records the encounter between Odysseus and the Cyclops, in which the Cyclops has considered violating several laws associated with xenia. Most notably, Cyclops sought to harm Odysseus, a shipwrecked aristocrat: “I’ll show you some ‘hospitality.’ Here’s a fire and some salt from my father and a big kettle. Once it’s boiling, it will serve to cover your currently poorly covered flesh. Just walk yourself inside my cave now and arrange yourself around the altar and entertain me”