An ancient Greek inscription on a marble slab engraved the names of a group of men who joined the ranks of the Ephesians in Athens during the reign of Emperor Claudius. This is the name given to a sexually mature young male aged 18-19 years who received two years of military training in ancient Greece – ephebat.

Opening details

• Somewhere between 41 and 54 AD, a sort of alumni list was created. He is about two thousand years old.
• It is not known where the found list was displayed, but it has been suggested that it may have been posted, for example, at the gym where students train.
• It lists 31 coffee names that roughly translate as “classmate”.
• The upper part of the plate has a pointed shape and a shabby relief believed to depict a small oily amphora similar to those used by the ephebes in the gymnasium.

Marble tiles with engraved names of the Ephebes / National Museums of Photography Scotland

Among the names are those that have never been found in the ancient Greek language. It is believed that this is one of the earliest evidence of the participation of citizens of other states in the brotherhood of the ephebes. The fact is that over time the requirements for candidates weakened, two years of military training became optional, training became less rigorous and paramilitary. Even before the 2nd century BC, Efebat was open to foreigners and literature and philosophy were added to the curriculum.

Marble tiles with engraved names of the Ephebes / National Museums of Photography Scotland