pedagogoi

Pedagogoi were enslaved men in ancient Greece who were responsible for supervising and escorting boys. The term itself derives from the Greek words "paidagogos," meaning "leader of a child." A pedagogos was not a teacher in the modern sense, but rather a guardian and companion. Their duties included ensuring the boy attended school, protecting him from harm, and instilling good manners and moral conduct.

The pedagogos would accompany the boy everywhere, from his home to school, to athletic training, and to social gatherings. This close association meant that the pedagogos had a significant influence on the boy's upbringing. While primarily responsible for the boy's physical safety and social decorum, they also often engaged in conversations that imparted wisdom and moral lessons. The role was typically filled by older, trusted slaves.

The relationship between a pedagogos and his charge could be quite close, sometimes developing into a paternalistic bond. For wealthy families, the pedagogos was an essential part of a boy's education and social development. Their role diminished as the boy entered adolescence and his education became more formalized with dedicated tutors. The concept of the pedagogos highlights the importance placed on a structured and supervised upbringing for young males in ancient Greek society.