What is one of the things that the Greeks regarded as most offensive to the gods?
Xenia (hospitality) was revered by the Greek gods. If Xenia was refused or if a guest was treated poorly by the host, the gods did not look favorably upon those and the host was punished. One of the most popular myths regarding Xenia involved a demi god named Tantalus. He deceived the gods by cooking and serving his son Pelops to the gods during a visit to his home. His pubishment was to stand in a pool of water under a low hanging fruit tree. Each time he went to reach for a piece of fruit, the branch would move away. When he would go to drink the water the pool would recede out of reach. Tantalize is a word derived from Tantalus.