Eromenos
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 (ἐραστής). The relationship was typically of a
pedagogical nature and while it was also typically affectionate and passionate it was not necessarily sexual.
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.
*
Erastes*
Mentoring*
Pederasty in ancient Greece
