I found a recent perspective (Y Tache. Gastroenterol 2015; 149: 1662-65) on mentoring of interest, particularly on the historic basis which I had forgotten.

“In Homer’s book, the Odysseus, Mentor was a loyal friend and adviser to Odusseus (Ulysses), King of Ithaca.  When Ulysses left his kingdom to participate in the Trojan War, he entrusted Mentor with the education of his son, Telemachus…This character of Greek mythology became famous only at the beginning of the 18th century in the context of the didactic French novel entitled “Les Aventures de Telemaque.”

My take: it is interesting to understand where the term “mentor” comes from.  I feel fortunate to have had some terrific mentors.