Being advocates of self-government, the Athenians in ancient Greece recognised the importance of an all-rounded education. They believed that in order to become functional citizens for the betterment of their society, the young boys of aristocratic descent not only had to endure vigorous military training to whittle their physical beings, but also undergo academic schooling to shape their minds an
d imaginations in their pursuit of personal excellence. As a rite of passage, these young lads, known as ephebes, were sent off to institutions of higher learning during their late teens and would only return home years later as men.