Núm. 29 (2020) enero-junio

The Greek notion of the pedagogue as the student´s mentor or guide relates to certain descriptive elements of the tlamatini —or wise-man—, among the ancient Nahuas. However, in ancient Mexico, the essence of the classical accompaniment between student and teacher transcended the mere notion of taking children to school, despite the genuinely educational nature of the relationship. The ancient Nahuas developed a systematic model of accompaniment that took place in the domestic fields (inside the house) until the moment when students entered the teaching houses. Such an accompaniment took place in the bosom of the family or cenyeliztli, understood as an intimate totality (or, strictly speaking, economic totality).