"Companions"

[smittyzback]

Regarding ancient Greek language; is it possible to have another interpretation of 'Hetaroi'meaning 'Companions'? Could it mean 'friend','associate', 'mate', 'buddie' (I can't even think of any other words lol), or does it specificaly translate to 'Companions'.I've often thought about this, but never posed the question to anyone before.Thanks to anyone who responds :)Cheers!

[marcus]

Not having studied Greek for nigh on twenty two years(!) I'm not 100 per cent sure on this.But my instinct would be to say that "friends" would be OK, in the sense of the Roman system of the "amicitia" - not necessarily "buddies" or "chums", but a much more formal system of "friendship" - you didn't necessarily need to *like* the person particularly, but for social and political reasons you maintained a relationship with him (and most specifically a *him*!).Using any of your other words suggests a closeness that didn't necessarily exist.All the bestMarcus

[yiannis]

It depends on how you use the word. In my mind the meaning is "friend" (not literally) but it can also mean: comrade, assosiate, fellow, partner, buddy etc...

[marcus]

Hi Yiannis,As you say, it depends on how you use the word.To my mind, "The Hetairoi" was a situation like the Roman amicitia... but it did not mean that each member of the group was a 'hetairos' in the sense of a 'close companionship' type friend.I think that's what you're saying, too, isn't it?All the bestMarcus

[yiannis]

Absolutely Marcus!
Btw, in modern Greek the word has the meaning of the business partner...regards,
Yiannis

[Nicator]

hhmmm, now that's interesting. It would seem that the modern meaning could just as easily be applied to the ancient.Yours Nick

[Cockroach]

Literal translation is friends, companions,etc but
in practice it was used for the heavy cavalry or
else the aristocracy of Macedon