While the practice of pedophilia today is a morally wrong and illegal act, some of the Ancient Greeks and Romans regarded it as a common practice and sometimes something to be celebrated. Pedophilia was common in Greek and Roman mythology and daily life.
Pedophilia is defined as a sexual attraction to children. In modern times, pedophilia is seen as morally abhorrent behavior, and it is defined a psychiatric disorder. Acting on pedophilia, either by obtaining pornographic material of children or partaking in sexual or romantic relations with a minor who is under the legal age of consent, is illegal.
But the Ancient Romans and Greeks openly practiced forms of pedophilia, although it was not legally or morally regarded as it is today. Forms of pedophilia were common among nobility and were often seen as rites of passage for the youth involved in them. Pederasty is defined as the sexual relationship between an adult man and a pubescent or adolescent boy.
The older man, or the erastes, was usually in his mid to late twenties, and was the pursuer in the relationship. These relationships were often complicated and involved a lot more than just sex. Being an eromenos was seen as a benefit and path to maturity, while being an erastes seen as a civic duty. Part of the pederastic relationship was indeed sexual, but at its core it was a mentorship.
While this practice was accepted despite its taboo nature, there were delicate parameters surrounding the relationship to ensure the dignity of both males. The older, more experienced erastes was the dominant male in the relationship and was in constant control of his eromenos, ensuring his position in society as powerful and masculine.
