Trophimoi

The trophimoi (in Greek old τρόφιμοι , “pupils”, literally “nourished”, of τροφός / trophós , “food”) are children of nonSpartiates - Périèques or foreigners - who undergo the education Spartan.

The trophimoi are adopted temporarily by a oikos Spartan. The trophimoi wire of Périèques, following the example Néodamodes and the nothoi (bastard wire citizens and slaves), constitute an intermediate class of Sparte. They can reach the statute of citizen. According to Plutarque, Agis IV thus intends to supplement the civic body, become insufficient for the military needs for Sparte, “by all Périèques and the foreigners who would have been high as free men and who in addition would be well made of their person and in the flower of the age” ( Vie of Acted , VIII, 3).

The foreign trophimoi generally set out again in their country of origin, where they increase the influence of Sparte. Thus, on the invitation of Agésilas II, Xénophon makes raise its sons with Sparte. However, some trophimoi choose to remain in Sparte, to even fight in the civic army. It is for example the case in 381 av. J. - C., in forwarding that Agésilas takes along to besiege Phlionte:

“Much of Périèques, men of distinction, followed it in the capacity as volunteers, as well as foreigners, those which one calls trophimes , and of bastard Spartans, men of good mine and who had had share with the noble education of the State. ”
(Xénophon Hellenic , V, 3-9)

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