With an undeniable beauty, Aphrodite was known as the goddess of love and romance. She was perfect in every way with irresistible physical features. When she was depicted in ancient Greek myths, her body was flawless and she was eternally youthful. Other details regarding Aphrodite are found below, which speak of her husband and connections with Zeus , the King of Gods.
Magical Powers
Aphrodite possessed the ‘Girdle,’ which was believed to carry magical powers that made people fall in love.
Other Names
Aphrodite is also known as Cytherea (Lady of Cythera) and Cypris (Lady of Cyprus) after the two locations, which claim to be the birthplace of the goddess.
Roman and Egyptian Equivalent
In Roman mythology, the role of Aphrodite is seen in Venus. The ancient Egyptian’s goddess, Hathor, is viewed as her equivalent within the culture.
Parents
When tracing the genealogy of Aphrodite, it is stated that she was the daughter of Zeus (leader of the ancient Greek gods and Dione, who was seen as an early earth , mother goddess figure. However, the Greek poet Hesiod wrote that Aphrodite was born when Cronus cut off Uranus’ genitals and tossed them into the sea. It is then stated that Aphrodite rose from the sea foam that followed. In Greek, sea foam is called ‘aphros.’
Husband and Child
Married to the lame god of blacksmithing (Hephaetus), Aphrodite is also known as the mother of Eros , the Cupid-like god of Love who was linked to bringing couples together with the help of a love dart. If you’re wondering how someone so infinitely beautiful ended up with a lame god, there is a story behind the union.
Since Aphrodite was a sight to see, many gods feared that she would come between the peacefulness that the Olympians enjoyed between one another. They did not want jealousy to erupt, which could lead to war. To calm this fear, Zeus forced a marriage between Aphrodite and Hephaestus, who no one saw as a threat because of his lameness. However, the Greek beauty was not happy with this arrangement and found other ways to ease her misery by taking Ares, the god of war, as her lover.
Temple Sites
Aphrodite had temples erected in her honor all over Greece, but the most significant structures are found at Kythira, an island believed to have been visited by the goddess, and Cyprus.
Romantic Birds
Myrtles, doves, swans, and sparrows are sacred to the goddess of love.
Famous Aphrodite Myth
In a contest centered on who will receive the Golden Apple for being the fairest of goddesses, Aphrodite is a contender , up against Zeus’ wife Hera and Athena , the goddess of wisdom. It is up to Paris to choose the most beautiful of the goddesses and he gives the Golden Apple (metaphor for a kind of award) to the goddess of beauty. In return, Aphrodite bestows upon him the love of Helen of Troy, which plays an important role in the infamous Trojan War.