Nestor's Tale — Telemachus visits Pylos

Book 3 of The Odyssey by Homer

The sun rose out of the sea into the firmament of heaven, shedding its light on mortals and immortals alike, and the ship came to Pylos, the stately citadel of Neleus. The people of the town were gathered on the shore offering sacrifice to the dark-haired Poseidon, the earth-shaker. Nine companies of five hundred men each were seated in rows, and each company had nine bulls ready for the god. They had already burned the thigh-bones and were tasting the inward meats when Telemachus and his crew beached their vessel on the sand.

Athena, still in the form of Mentor, encouraged Telemachus as they walked toward the assembly. She told him there was no need for shyness, for he had crossed the sea expressly to learn news of his father, and he must go straight to Nestor, who would tell him the truth, being the wisest and most courteous of men. Telemachus replied that he had never yet spoken to a man of such renown and did not know how a young man should address his elders. Athena answered that heaven would put the right words in his mouth, for the gods had surely looked upon his birth and upbringing with favor.

Nestor's son Peisistratus was the first to greet them. He came forward and took them both by the hand, leading them to seats of honor on soft fleeces spread upon the sand beside his father and brother. He gave them portions of the feast and poured wine into a golden cup, bidding Mentor drink first and offer prayer to Poseidon, for it was the god's festival they had chanced upon. This was proper xenia, the sacred duty of welcome, offered without question or hesitation, and it showed the quality of Nestor's house that even a son knew the rituals of hospitality.