ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Trophimoi

Trophimoi is a fancy word used to describe students who were studying in ancient Greece. Imagine you are a student in a big school, but instead of having classrooms with desks and chairs, you study with a wise teacher who lives in a fancy house. This teacher is called a mentor, and he takes care of you like a parent.

In ancient Greece, some families were wealthy, and they would send their children to other cities to study with famous mentors. These children were called trophimoi. The mentor would teach them reading, writing, and math, just like your teacher does in school. The mentor would also teach them how to behave like a good citizen, how to make friends, and how to be brave.

The trophimoi would live in the mentor's house and eat with his family. They would wear fancy clothes and have servants to help them. It was a bit like living in a palace! But, this was not all fun and games. The trophimoi had to work hard and listen well. If they misbehaved, the mentor could punish them, just like your parents can punish you.

After a few years, the trophimoi would return home to their families. They would be smarter, wiser and more polite. They would also bring back new ideas from the city they studied in. Some of the most famous philosophers, doctors, and politicians were trophimoi.