Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation, is

one of the most enduring and beloved figures in Greek mythology. Her story is rich
and multifaceted, encompassing her mysterious origins, her many relationships, and
her significant influence over gods and mortals alike. Aphrodite’s myths are filled
with themes of love, desire, jealousy, and the powerful, often uncontrollable,
nature of attraction. Below is an extensive account of Aphrodite's story.
1. Origins and Birth of Aphrodite
Aphrodite’s origins are among the most intriguing and varied in Greek mythology.
There are two primary versions of her birth, each with its own unique symbolism and
significance.
1.1 The Hesiodic Version: Birth from the Sea
The most famous and widely accepted account of Aphrodite's birth comes from
Hesiod's Theogony. According to this version, Aphrodite was born from the sea foam
(Greek: aphros) that arose when the severed genitals of Uranus (the sky) were cast
into the ocean by his son Cronus. Uranus’s blood mingled with the sea, creating a
white foam from which Aphrodite emerged. She is said to have arisen near the island
of Cyprus, making this island one of her most important cult centers.
As she emerged from the sea, fully grown and extraordinarily beautiful, she was
carried on a shell to the shore. The sight of her caused the flowers to bloom and
the waters to shimmer with an otherworldly light. The Horae (goddesses of the
seasons) welcomed her and adorned her with fine clothes and jewels. This image of
Aphrodite rising from the sea, beautiful and serene, has been a powerful and
enduring symbol of beauty and love in Western culture.
1.2 The Homeric Version: Daughter of Zeus and Dione
In Homer’s Iliad, Aphrodite is described as the daughter of Zeus and Dione, a
Titaness whose name is associated with divine femininity. This version is less
dramatic than the Hesiodic account, but it establishes Aphrodite firmly within the
Olympian family. As the daughter of Zeus, she is part of the divine order and
hierarchy, though her power over love and desire makes her an essential and
sometimes disruptive force among the gods.
2. Aphrodite’s Role and Symbolism
Aphrodite’s primary domains were love, beauty, and desire. She was the embodiment
of the irresistible forces of attraction and affection, which could bind both
mortals and gods. Her influence was all-encompassing, affecting not only romantic
and sexual relationships but also the more subtle bonds of affection and loyalty
that held families and communities together.
As the goddess of beauty, Aphrodite was often depicted as the most beautiful of all
the gods. Her beauty was so profound that it could cause chaos, leading to
jealousy, strife, and conflict. She was frequently portrayed in art as a stunningly
attractive woman, often nude or semi-nude, symbolizing the ideal of physical
perfection.
In addition to her associations with love and beauty, Aphrodite was also a goddess
of fertility and procreation. She was worshipped as a bringer of life and
abundance, and her favor was sought by those wishing for children or the prosperity
of their lands.
3. The Marriage of Aphrodite and Hephaestus
Despite her role as the goddess of love, Aphrodite’s marriage was an unhappy one.
Zeus, fearing that Aphrodite’s beauty might cause strife among the gods, arranged
her marriage to Hephaestus, the god of fire and blacksmiths. Hephaestus was skilled
and clever, but he was also lame and considered less attractive compared to the
other gods. The marriage was meant to be a solution to the potential problems
Aphrodite’s allure could cause, but it was far from a loving union.
Aphrodite was not content with Hephaestus, and their marriage was marred by
infidelity and deceit. She had numerous affairs, the most famous of which was with
Ares, the god of war. This affair became the subject of one of the most well-known
myths involving Aphrodite.
4. The Affair of Aphrodite and Ares
Aphrodite’s affair with Ares is one of the most famous stories in Greek mythology,
highlighting her passionate and often tumultuous nature. Despite her marriage to
Hephaestus, Aphrodite was irresistibly drawn to Ares, who embodied the primal and
violent aspects of masculinity.
The two engaged in a passionate affair, meeting secretly in Hephaestus’s bed.
However, their affair did not go unnoticed. Helios, the sun god, saw the lovers
together and informed Hephaestus of his wife’s betrayal. Hephaestus, who was known
for his craftsmanship, devised a cunning plan to catch them in the act.
He crafted a fine, nearly invisible net made of unbreakable chains and set it over
his bed. The next time Aphrodite and Ares met, the net trapped them in a
humiliating embrace. Hephaestus then summoned the other gods to witness their
disgrace. The gods laughed at the lovers’ predicament, but the incident did little
to change Aphrodite’s behavior.
Despite the embarrassment, Aphrodite and Ares continued their relationship, and
they had several children together, including Harmonia (the goddess of harmony),
Phobos (the god of fear), and Deimos (the god of terror).
5. Aphrodite’s Many Loves and Children
Aphrodite’s love life was not limited to Ares. She had numerous other lovers, both
mortal and divine, and her children played significant roles in various myths.
5.1 Anchises and the Birth of Aeneas
One of Aphrodite’s most famous mortal lovers was Anchises, a Trojan prince. Zeus,
annoyed by Aphrodite’s habit of making gods fall in love with mortals, decided to
make her fall in love with Anchises as a form of poetic justice.
Aphrodite, unable to resist the attraction, appeared to Anchises in the form of a
beautiful mortal maiden. They spent the night together, and Aphrodite revealed her
true identity only afterward. Anchises was initially terrified, fearing retribution
from the gods, but Aphrodite assured him that their union was blessed.
From their union, Aphrodite bore a son, Aeneas, who would become a central figure
in both Greek and Roman mythology. Aeneas was a hero of the Trojan War and, after
the fall of Troy, he led the surviving Trojans to Italy, where he became the
ancestor of the Romans. This myth is particularly important in Roman culture, where
Aphrodite was identified with Venus, and Aeneas was considered a founding figure of
Rome.
5.2 Adonis
Another famous myth involving Aphrodite is her love for Adonis, a mortal youth
renowned for his extraordinary beauty. According to the myth, Aphrodite found the
infant Adonis abandoned and took him to the underworld, where she entrusted him to
Persephone’s care. When Adonis grew into a handsome young man, Aphrodite fell
deeply in love with him and wanted to keep him for herself.
However, Persephone also became enamored with Adonis and refused to return him. The
dispute between the two goddesses was eventually brought before Zeus, who decided
that Adonis would spend one-third of the year with Aphrodite, one-third with
Persephone, and the remaining third wherever he wished.
Tragically, Adonis’s life was cut short when he was killed by a wild boar during a
hunt. In some versions of the myth, the boar was sent by Ares, who was jealous of
Aphrodite’s love for Adonis. In her grief, Aphrodite transformed Adonis’s blood
into the anemone flower, and his death was mourned annually in the Adonia festival,
a celebration marked by both mourning and joy.
5.3 Pygmalion
Aphrodite also played a role in the myth of Pygmalion, a sculptor who fell in love
with a statue he had carved. Pygmalion, disillusioned with the flaws of mortal
women, sculpted a figure of perfect beauty and fell in love with it. He prayed to
Aphrodite to bring the statue to life, and the goddess, moved by his devotion,
granted his wish. The statue, named Galatea, came to life, and Pygmalion and
Galatea were married. This myth highlights Aphrodite’s power to inspire love and
beauty even in the most unconventional circumstances.
6. The Judgment of Paris and the Trojan War
Aphrodite played a pivotal role in the events that led to the Trojan War, one of
the most famous conflicts in Greek mythology. The war’s origins can be traced back
to the myth of the Judgment of Paris, a story that highlights both Aphrodite’s
allure and the destructive power of desire.
The story begins with the wedding of Peleus and Thetis, the future parents of
Achilles. All the gods were invited to the wedding except for Eris, the goddess of
discord. Angered by her exclusion, Eris threw a golden apple inscribed with the
words "For the fairest" into the midst of the gathering. The apple was claimed by
three goddesses: Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.
Unable to decide who was the fairest, the goddesses turned to Zeus, who wisely
declined to choose and instead appointed Paris, a prince of Troy, to judge the
contest. Each goddess offered Paris a tempting bribe: Hera promised him power and
kingship, Athena offered wisdom and military prowess, and Aphrodite promised him
the love of the most beautiful woman