Neaniskos

Neaniskos, Greek νεανίσκος, is a noun meaning “young man” or “youth.” It designates a male in late adolescence or the transition to adulthood. The term appears in ancient Greek texts to refer to youths in general, often with emphasis on their vitality, beauty, or potential for adult responsibility. The standard plural is neaniskoi (νεανίσκοι).

In historical contexts, neaniskos is used to describe male youths who were not yet fully grown into adult civic or military roles. The term sits alongside other age-related designations such as ephebus (or ephebos), which refers to a specific stage of late adolescence around the late teens to early twenties in some city-states. Because age classifications varied by polis and period, neaniskos can indicate a broad range of late adolescents rather than a fixed age bracket.

In Greek literature, neaniskos often carries connotations tied to youth culture, education, and the passage to manhood. It can appear in descriptions of young men in education, athletic contexts, or social life, and sometimes reflects aesthetic or idealized portrayals of young male beauty.

In Modern Greek, νεανίσκος remains recognizable but is more literary or historical in tone. Everyday language typically uses νεαρός or νέος for “young man.” The term continues to be discussed in studies of ancient Greek society, adolescence, and gendered ideals.