Mentor

In Greek mythology, Mentor (sometimes Mentês) was the son of Alcumus and, in his old age, a friend of Odysseus. When Odysseus left for the Trojan War he placed Mentor in charge of his son, Telemachus, and of his palace. When Athena visited Telemachus she took the disguise of Mentor to hide herself from Telemachus' mother's suitors. (See Odyssey II, 255; 267.)

This is the source of the modern use of the word mentor: a trusted friend, counselor or teacher, usually a more experienced person. Some professions have "mentoring programs" in which newcomers are paired with more experienced people in order to obtain good examples and advice as they advance, and schools sometimes have mentoring programs for new students or students who are having difficulties.

The student of a mentor is called a protégé.

Mentor is also the name of two different leaders in the Trojan War:

1. King of the Cicones (according to the Iliad.)
2. King of the Taphians (according to the Odyssey.)

Historically, Mentor of Rhodes was a Greek mercenary who at various times fought either for or against Artaxerxes III.