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Revision as of 01:29, 7 November 2006 by 142.150.46.43 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)In the pederastic tradition of Classical Athens, the eromenos (Greek ἐρώμενος, pl. "eromenoi") was a adolescent boy who was tutored as a youth by an adult man known as the erastes (ἐραστής into becoming a contributing and well rounded invididual in society. The relationship was not considered of a sexual nature, and in city states such as Athens, sexual intercourse of a homosexual nature, especially that with a young boy, was punishable by death. Topics such as anal sex were labeled as 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.
The term for the role often varied from one poleis to another. In Athens the eromenos was also known as the paidika; in Sparta aites (hearer) was used; in Crete the boys were known as kleinos (glorious) and if they had fought in battle with their teacher, as parastathenes (one who stands beside).
The eromenos valued 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." This is of a non-sexual nature, in that this men are now worthy to be amongst great men who like them were raised as to be contributing members of society.
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. The word in an ancient context is best translated as Tutor, or Teacher.
Notes
- Aesop, "Zeus and Shame" (Perry 109, Chambry 118, Gibbs 528), in Fables
See also
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