Ephebia

2 Macc. iv. 9, 12. 2 Macc. iv. 12.EPHEBIA, Ephebium. The Greeks had several sorts of exercises, which were in great request among them; and one part of their glory consisted in succeeding at them: when Jason and the other Jews, who were not very fond of the Law, were willing to conform themselves to the manners of the Greeks, they began with erecting Gymnasia for the grown men, and Ephebea or Ephebia for the young lads above fourteen. Vitruvius distinguishes all this with great Vitruv. l. 5. c. 11.accuracy. As in the places of exercise, the performers were quite naked; the Author of the second book of Maccabees, speaks of such places, as if they were infamous, and like those set apart for prostitution. Optimos quosque Epheborum in lupanaribus ponere.

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