Proxenos

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A Proxenos (lit .: “for the stranger”, from ancient Greek πρόξενος) was a citizen in ancient Greece who represented the interests of another in his city (in some ways comparable to a modern honorary consul ).

This function developed from the 5th century BC. From private hospitality.

A proxenos was the one a stranger (xenos) could turn to in a Greek city if they got into any trouble. He was a citizen of the local city-state ( polis ) or at least a resident alien. He was publicly assigned the task of looking after the interests of another city-state or representing this city-state.

He was respected and wealthy. Often he also came from the city-state he represented.

He received no payment from the state for his office. Instead, he enjoyed some privileges and perhaps benefited from business relationships. The main aspect, however, was the honor associated with the exercise of the office.

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