The Role of Gift Exchange in Heroic Society

Most famous and dramatic moments are those when relations of exchange threaten to break down into hierarchy. In heroic societies, the throwing of feasts is often spoken of as mere extensions of war. Those who throw such feasts often indulge in colorful speeches about how their enemies are crushed by glorious feats of generosity aimed in their direction. One ancient greek source describes celtic festivals where rival nobles would alternate between jousts and contests of generosity.