...Aphrodite: Goddess of Love When anyone with a general knowledge of Greek mythology hears her name, their mind automatically shifts to images of beauty. Beauty is what Aphrodite stands for. She is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. Aphrodite has a very loving, compassionate nature. Due to her nature, she has numerous powers. They include, but are not limited to, influencing birth, life, love, death and fate. She uses her beauty to her advantage and with it can leave her lover defenseless to her charm. Unfortunately, possessing these powers had their disadvantages. Aphrodite had a great sense of confidence, and with that she was very vain, bad tempered, and jealous. Her promiscuity also caused her to be very unfaithful towards her various lovers. Aphrodite has a variety of different powers. Because of her beauty and promiscuous nature, she could take control of a number of emotions in her lovers. While engaging in sexual activities with various humans, as well as gods, Aphrodite could melt their defenses purely out of lust; leaving her lovers completely unarmed. Obviously the power to do this came to her advantage in many situations. Some of her other numerous powers included fertility, the growth and harvest of crops, descent to the underworld, as well as birth, life, love and fate. There are two popular myths explaining Aphrodite’s birth. One of her myths is found in the works of Homer, and simply says that Aphrodite is the daughter of the god of thunder,...
Words: 688 - Pages: 3
...Aphrodite: Goddess of Love Aphrodite was a very popular goddess for many reasons. Aphrodite was the Greek goddess of love, beauty, eternal youth and sexual rapture. Aphrodite was one of the twelve main gods/goddesses on Mt. Olympus. She was the best goddess compared to the others when it came to the opposite sex. Aphrodite was seen as a Goddess who had one purpose and her purpose was to make love. Her purpose was also her gift and was so special that no one seemed to resent it. While many other gods and goddesses were busy with their numerous divine duties, the goddess Aphrodite’s only duty was to bring love into the world. It’s evident that many women were very envious of Aphrodite’s abounding beauty and her easy-going life, but none were resentful. She was seen as friendly, kind and even...
Words: 478 - Pages: 2
...When you think of the goddess of love, do you think of someone sweet and innocent . Aphrodite is not sweet and innocent as she is look upon. She is the goddess of love and beauty, but she has affairs with a lot of different gods and even mortals. Aphrodite is a greek god who is an unfaithful wife, has an unique personality and she is represented by many symbols and animals. Aphrodite was not faithful to her husband Hephaestus by any means. She was actually in love with Hephaestus’ brother, Ares. Helios caught the two lovers during their affair. Hephaestus tried to embarrass them in front of the town, but they could not blame them. Not only did she have affairs with Ares, she also had affairs with several different men. Would you really want to look up to someone who is so unloyal? I sure wouldn’t....
Words: 473 - Pages: 2
...Aphrodite is the well known goddess of love, beauty and procreation. She is identified with the planet Venus (Greek Goddess Aphrodite). In the picture above, she is shown with her son, Eros; like in most of his artwork, he is in the sky holding his bow and arrow. There are numerous myths telling of her proclaiming love and beauty. Aphrodite is not only the most powerful above both mortals and immortals, but she also represents the love between the two. According to Homer's Iliad, Aphrodite was the daughter of Zeus, god of the sky and Olympian of all the gods. Her mother, Dione, was known as the mother of the Roman goddess of love (By Dione He [Zeus] Had Aphrodite). However, in Myths Encyclopedia, it is said that Aphrodite was, “Born from the foam of the sea”. This myth is believed by many, because her name, Aphrodite or Aphros, is the Greek word which means foam. As oddly as it seems, legends say that Titan Cronus castrated Uranus, his father, throwing his genitals into...
Words: 712 - Pages: 3
...APHRODITE (a-fro-DYE-tee; Roman name Venus) was the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. She was also a protectress of sailors. The poet Hesiod said that Aphrodite was born from sea-foam. Homer, on the other hand, said that she was the daughter of Zeus and Dione. When the Trojan prince Paris was asked to judge which of three Olympian goddesses was the most beautiful, he chose Aphrodite over Hera and Athena. The latter two had hoped to bribe him with power and victory in battle, but Aphrodite offered the love of the most beautiful woman in the world. This was Helen of Sparta, who became infamous as Helen of Troy when Paris subsequently eloped with her. In the ensuing Trojan War, Hera and Athena were implacable enemies of Troy while Aphrodite was loyal to Paris and the Trojans. IN HOMER In his epic of the Trojan War, Homer tells how Aphrodite intervened in battle to save her son Aeneas, a Trojan ally. The Greek hero Diomedes, who had been on the verge of killing Aeneas, attacked the goddess herself, wounding her on the wrist with his spear and causing the ichor to flow. (Ichor is what immortals have in the place of blood.) Aphrodite promptly dropped Aeneas, who was rescued by Apollo, another Olympian sponsor of the Trojans. In pain she sought out her brother Ares, the god of war who stood nearby admiring the carnage, and borrowed his chariot so that she might fly up to Olympus. There she goes crying to her mother Dione, who soothes her and cures her wound. Her father...
Words: 1040 - Pages: 5
...history, and significance. Although Aphrodite is known as the goddess of love and beauty, she is also known for her act of destruction and a myth in influence on modern world. Aphrodite's general background can consist of her birth, family, where she came from, her love life and the type of goddess she is. Aphrodite's birth has two stories to it. The first story was Uranus's son Cronus, a titan, had chopped off Uranus's sex organs and threw them into the sea. Shortly after Aphrodite had emerged.(Wickersham) "Her name comes from Aphros, the Greek word for foam."(Wickersham) The other story is that she had simply came...
Words: 811 - Pages: 4
...For the Love of Aphrodite Tamara Dolgner FLCL 271-3 5 November 2013 With only three goddesses she cannot sway, few love matches are too challenging for Aphrodite. However, by fleeting about and abusing her power to make gods and goddesses fall in love with mortals and then bragging about it, she has become a little bit unpopular. Her tricks become crimes worthy of Zeus’ punishment, and he gives her a taste of her ruses. When she falls for and deceives war hero Anchises, she is no longer able to claim immunity to love between goddess and mortal. Of course, this fall of Aphrodite does not go unnoticed by mythological interpretation, and there is a lot to explore. The story of Aphrodite may fall under many stereotypical interpretations, such as structuralism, social charter, and gender analysis, but she sometimes challenges them just as well. A look at structuralism using motifemes has a curious twist when it comes to the goddess of love. The main example of a motifeme pattern is as follows: the girl leaves home, the girl is secluded, the girl becomes pregnant by a god, she suffers, and finally she is rescued and gives birth to a son. After reading about Aphrodite and Anchises, this pattern is almost familiar, except for one very interesting turn of events— the gender roles are switched. This is where Aphrodite challenges the interpretations of myth just a little. When Aphrodite finds Anchises, he is secluded at home. When he realizes that it was in fact a goddess...
Words: 930 - Pages: 4
...think is going to win? I think that Aphrodite will win because Aphrodite is the goddess of love, desire, and beauty. Her natural gifts are a magical girdle that compels anyone she wishes to desire her. Aphrodite is the wife of Hephaestus. Her favorite lover is the god of war, Ares. She represented the attraction that binds people together. Aphrodite’s roman name was Venus. Aphrodite lived on the Mount Olympus. Aphrodite Hera, Queen of Olympus, took Paris aside and told him that she would help him rule the world. Athena, goddess of war, said that she would make him successful in the battle. Aphrodite ranged Paris up and she decided he would be more fascinated with the guaranteed love of the most beautiful woman in the world. Aphrodite was represented a beautiful woman. Aphrodite’s sacred animal was the dove. The Greeks were not the first to name a goddess of love and worship her with a cult. Aphrodite’s power was revealed in her actions toward both her faithful followers and those who incited her anger. Aphrodite was a very old goddess from other lands, surrounded by the active Greek gods, she was forced in the weaken role. Many statues of Aphrodite were also created. The most celebrated statue was carved by Praxiteles. Aphrodite’s statue has never been found by archaeologists. Do you know what the most famous known carving is? Well, it is called, Aphrodite of Melos. In other words, Venus de Milo, which stands for “Louvre in Paris.” Aphrodite was very kind in using her powers...
Words: 394 - Pages: 2
...Ἀθηνᾶ Goddess magazine presents an exclusive interview with the ever-elusive Athena, goddess of wisdom, war and invention. She has been revered and worshipped for over three thousand years, is the daughter of the mightiest god, Zeus, and is the patron deity of Athens. She has counselled warriors and heroes as well as punished many mortals. Her power and beauty was renowned as was her purity and wisdom. She speaks today about her fantastical birth, her decision to remain chaste and her semi-feud with Aphrodite. T he first thing I noticed about the infamous goddess of wisdom was her undeniable beauty. Her very essence had fascinated me for years. The fact that she remained faithful to herself and her beliefs as well as the fact that she wielded her power with such grace and elegance made her my favourite deity by far. Goddess: Let’s start out first with your incredible birth. Unlike any other mortal or immortal, you were born from your father’s head. Do you think that gave you a closer relationship with him? Athena: [Nods] Certainly. I never knew my mother. He was everything to me. I believe the fact that I was born from his head allowed my father to feel a closer connection to me than any of my many other siblings. That being said, my father did initially swallow my mother, Metis, to prevent my birth. [Laughs] “I never knew my mother. He was everything to me. I believe the fact that I was born from his head allowed my father to feel a closer connection to me than any...
Words: 1544 - Pages: 7
...Long long ago, in the kingdom of Olympus, lived Aphrodite. Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty. She was extremely beautiful, all the gods would just look at her and fall in love with her. One week, she made a plan to have the Ultimate Diamond of Olympus. This was a very valuable diamond, worth millions. And she knew she wouldn't be able to get the diamond herself. So, she took a walk and looked for gods to fall in love with her. Then, she saw Hephaestus. He was big, had muscles and was strong. Aphrodite thought to herself, "I need him." and approached Hephaestus. As soon as he noticed her, he said, "You are beautiful! I am in love with you. I must worship your beauty and do whatever you say." Aphrodite smiled wickedly. She spent...
Words: 767 - Pages: 4
...Aphrodite BY:Akilah Pena Have you ever heard of a goddess named Aphrodite? Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty.Her Roman name is Venus.Aphrodite is usually found in Mount Olympus. Aphrodite’s powers are transformative love, the mundane into something, and cast revenge. Aphrodite had a big family. Her mother was Dione and Her father was Zeus. Aphrodite didn't have much of siblings . Her brothers and sisters was Athena,Hera,and Helen. She didn't have a very good love life. First she had a husband named Hephaestus and then cheated on him with Ares. She then had many children their names were Phobos,Deimos,Harmonia,Anteros,Hermaphroditus,Rhode,Eryx,Peitho,Eunomia,charities,Priapus,Aeneas,and Eros. The history of Aphrodite is very interesting. Her birth was unnormal,she was born when Uranus was castrated by his son...
Words: 539 - Pages: 3
...divinities of war, home or hearth divinities, divinities of love, divinities of wisdom, divinities of medicine or health, divinities of the wind, divinities of agriculture, divinities of the sky, ruler of all the gods, and so on. Identify the role in the title of your matrix. Select two myths, each from a different culture, in which the divine role appears. Identify the divinity names and cultures in columns A and B. Complete the matrix by answering each of the five questions for both selected divinities. |Title: Divinities of Love and Beauty |Column A |Column B | | |Divinity Name: Aphrodite |Divinity Name: Freyja | | |Culture of Origin: Greek |Culture of Origin: Norse | |How is this divinity portrayed? |She was portrayed to be the goddess |She was the goddess of love, lust, | |Describe the divinity’s role within the|of love and beauty often shown |fertility and magic. According to | |myth. |smiling. She is the daughter of Zeus.|Freyja (1996), she is believed to be | | |Some myths also say they daughter of |the daughter of the sea god Njord and| | |Uranus (Aphrodite, 2002). One of the |the earth-goddess Nerthus. She had a | | ...
Words: 1042 - Pages: 5
...people has definitely changed from the myth’s origins. The importance of what the gods meant to people has evolved as time went on and this can be clearly seen in the representation of the myths in modern life. Many aspects of Ancient Greek myths are constantly being reflected in the ideals of today's society ranging from beauty/love, marketing, and in competition. Aphrodite was the great Olympian goddess of beauty, love, pleasure and procreation. Aphrodite was created from the sea when the Titan Cronos slew his father, the major Titan Ouranos, and threw his genitals into the sea. Aphrodite was the most attractive goddess of Mount Olympus. She was depicted as a beautiful woman usually accompanied by the winged god Eros, or as we know him more popular as Cupid. Aphrodite loved and was loved by many gods and mortals. In almost all her stories that involve her, have Aphrodite interfere with making mortals fall in love with other mortals. Aphrodite can be said to have caused the Trojan War. When given the opportunity to have the golden apple for the “fairest of them all”, Aphrodite sized Paris up and decided he would be more impressed with the guaranteed love of the most beautiful woman in the world. This was Helen, who happened to be married to the king of Sparta. Paris promptly awarded the golden apple to...
Words: 631 - Pages: 3
...Carli Hoebert Marble Statue of Aphrodite- the so-called Venus Genetrix While visiting the Metropolitan Museum in NYC, the piece of artwork that caught my eye was the Marble Statue of Aphrodite- the so-called Venus Genetrix. This particular statue interested me because in high school, I was assigned the role of Aphrodite in a skit. Ever since then, her mythological story interested me. Aphrodite is the Greek Goddess of love, beauty, and sexuality. The sculpture that I picked seemed unique to me and different from the sculpture of her in the Art Through The Ages textbook. This piece was created in the Imperial time period, between the 1st and 2nd century A.D., and is from the Roman Culture. This piece classifies as a stone sculpture. Aphrodite is a Greek Goddess, which means the goddess of love. With that being said, the original sculpture was Greek and made of bronze. The museum states that Kallimachos created this particular sculpture. He lived in the second half of the first century B.C.E in Corinth. After examining the sculpture, it is portrayed as if Aphrodite is walking. It seems as though her body is leaning more on the weight of her left leg. A term that describes this is Contrapposto. This term is used in the visual arts that describe a human figure standing with most of its weight on one foot so that the shoulders and arms twist off-axis from the hips and legs. This leaves the statue of Aphrodite looking very naturalistic. This sculpture is classified under the...
Words: 865 - Pages: 4
...The Venus de Milo, also known as Aphrodite from Melos, is a famous ancient Greek statue that represents Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Her name, Venus, comes from the Roman name for Aphrodite, and Milos is the Greek island where she was discovered in the 1800’s. She is one of the best-known sculptures from ancient Greece having been created during the Hellenistic period, ca.150–50 BCE. During the Classical period, the art and culture from 480 and 323 BCE, there was a drastic advancement in art. In the course of this time the artwork, especially sculptures, became more natural, realistic, and human-like. Though made from marble and other unyielding materials, the artists managed to make their work look as though they were true humans with soft flesh that could breathe. Praxiteles was a famous sculptor from this time that had this amazing ability. He sculpted the first nude statue of a goddess, Aphrodite of Knidos. This trend of creating realistic statues has continued for centuries. During the Hellenistic period, the period directly after the Classical, ca. 323 BCE, and 30 BCE, there was a great demand for Classical Greek sculptures, copies, or artwork created in a similar style. Artists of this time attempted...
Words: 1011 - Pages: 5
