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In the pederastic tradition of Classical Athens, the eromenos (Greek ἐρώμενος, pl. "eromenoi") was an adolescent boy who was in a love relationship with an adult man, known as the erastes (ἐραστής). The relationship was typically portrayed as being of a pedagogical nature and while it was also typically affectionate and passionate, it was not necessarily sexual. When present, sexual expression is depicted in the iconography as having consisted primarily of fondling and intercrural sex. Anal sex appears to have been less common, yet frequent enough to be a topic of comedy, and of criticism based on the opinion that it was a practice which was shameful and risked feminizing the boys who grew to like it.

Different terms were used in other poleis, such as aites (hearer) in Sparta and kleinos (glorious) and parastathenes (sidekick) in Crete.

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"

Upon reaching the age of maturity (ca. eighteen years) 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

• Erastes
• Mentoring
• Pederasty in ancient Greece

References

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1. Aesop, "Zeus and Shame" (Perry 109, Chambry 118, Gibbs 528), in Fables

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