ephebic

The term ephebic refers to something relating to or characteristic of an ephebe. An ephebe was a young man of ancient Greece, typically between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, who was undergoing military training and civic education. The ephebeia was a period of compulsory military service for young men in Athens and other Greek city-states, designed to prepare them for citizenship and the defense of the polis. This training often included physical exercises, instruction in military tactics, and lessons in rhetoric, philosophy, and law.

The ephebic period was a crucial stage in the transition from boyhood to manhood. It marked the young man's formal entry into public life and his readiness to take on the responsibilities of a citizen. The training was rigorous and aimed at instilling discipline, loyalty, and a sense of duty. The ephebi were often organized into specific corps and participated in public ceremonies and religious festivals. The concept of the ephebe has had a lasting influence on Western educational ideals, particularly in its emphasis on the development of both the body and the mind, and its connection to civic virtue. The adjective "ephebic" can thus be used to describe qualities associated with this youthful stage of preparation for civic life, such as burgeoning maturity, athletic prowess, or the early stages of intellectual development.