In the pederastic tradition of Classical Athens, the eromenos (Greek ἐρόμενος, pl. "eromenoi") was an adolescent boy who was in a love relationship with an adult man, known as the erastes (ἐράστης). The relationship was typically of a pedagogical nature and while it was also typically affectionate and passionate it was not necessarily sexual. Pederastic courtship scene Athenian black-figure amphora, 5th c. ... Pedagogy is the art or science of teaching. ...

Different terms were used in other poleis, such as aites (hearer) in Sparta and kleinos (glorious) and parastathenes (sidekick) in Crete. A polis (πολις) — plural: poleis (πολεις) — is a city, or a city-state. ... Sparta (Σπάρτη) was a city in ancient Greece, whose territory included, in Classical times, all Laconia and Messenia, and which was the most powerful state of the Peloponnesus. ... Crete (Greek Κρήτη / Kriti, Turkish: Girit) is the largest of the Greek islands and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean Sea. ...

The eromenos was valued for his beauty, but even more for his modesty, industriousness and courage. In Plato's Symposium eromenoi were described as the "best" boys, and their characteristic was that "they love men and enjoy living with men and being embraced by men" Plato Plato (Greek: Πλάτων, Plátōn) (c. ... Symposium is a Socratic dialogue by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, student of Socrates. ...

Upon reaching the age of maturity (ca. eighteen years of age) the eromenos would cut his long hair and become eligible for taking on the role of erastes and courting and winning an eromenos of his own.

"Eromenos" is traditionally translated into English as "beloved", although this is not a perfect match for the concept.

See also

• Mentoring
• Pederasty in ancient Greece

Mentoring refers to a developmental relationship between a more experienced mentor and a less experienced partner referred to as a mentee or protégé. Usually - but not necessarily - the mentor/protégé pair will be of the same sex. ... Pederastic courtship scene Athenian black-figure amphora, 5th c. ...

References