“Accepting all comers”: a cross-cultural institution in late antiquity
Olivia Remie Constable
In the gospel of Luke, parable Good Samaritan (10:30–35) tells tale a traveler who was robbed, beaten, and left half-dead by thieves on road from Jerusalem to Jericho. This unfortunate wayfarer rescued passing Samaritan, probably merchant, salved his wounds, mounted him one animals, “brought an inn (pandocheion, πανδοχεῖον), looked after him. Next day, he produced two silver pieces (denarii) gave them innkeeper (pandocheus), said ‘Look him; if you spend more, I will repay my way back.’”
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