Aphrodite goddess of love was born from a drop of blood from the wounds of Uranus. His blood droplet had fallen into the ocean and the water began to froth and foam the fully grown figure of Aphrodite appeared. Rumour has it that this event occurred near the Greek Island of Cythera (off the south coast of the Peleponese mainland of Greece). Aphrodite was the loveliest goddess and carried a giant scallop shell to the shores of Cyprus where she was met by the Seasons the form of beautiful girls, who gave her clothes and jewels to wear.
Doves flocked around her and became her special birds. She was the godess of love who existed purely to be beautiful and adored with no other duties. Her girdle was magic which made whoever wore it irresistibly attractive to men. Both Adonis and Paris preferred Aphrodite to all other goddesses.
The marriage of Aphrodite
Zeus had decided that Aphrodite should marry his son Hephaestos, the smith god who was strong but coarse and lame. He worked in the gods forge making weapons and handmade jewellery. She could have had her pick of men or gods and being none too pleased with Zeus choice she took many lovers.
Aphrodite and Ares
Ares was her most famous lover, the god of war. Hephaestos did not like his wifes behaviour so decided to teach her a lesson. He forged a net of bronze links and hung it above her bed. When the lovers were next together he dropped the net over them and caught them like fish. He called the other gods to come and see how ridiculous they looked yet still he forgave Aphrodite.
Aphrodite and Adonis
Both Aphrodite and Persephone had fallen in love with a handsome human called Adonis, sparking Persephones jealousy. Persephone told Ares that Aphrodite love an ordinary man, he was furious and promptly turned himself into a boar to chase Adonis who he gored to death. Where this blood fell the first anemones grew.
Adonis was sent to the Underworld where Persephone was queen. Aphrodite begged Zeus to let Adonis come back to her and he granted a compromise: he must stay in the Underworld during the winter but in the summer he could visit the earth and be with Aphrodite.
The wrath of Aphrodite
She was goddess of love with quite a violent temper. Glaucus had insulted her so he was severely punished: the night before he was due to take part in a chariot race, she gave his horses water from her sacred well and fed them a magic herb. When the race started, the horses went mad and crashed his chariot killing Glaucus, then the horses ate him.
Aphrodites faithful followers
Pygmalion was a sculptor who adored Aphrodite, he created a statue of his ideal woman which was such a success that he fell in love with it. Aphrodite felt sorry for Pygmalions love for a stone statue and bought it to life. Overjoyed, Pygmalion named her Galatea and happily married her.
Aphrodites children
She had several children, Eros whos father remains a secret to this day, made people fall in love by piercing them with his golden arrow, a very mischievous boy who often made the most unsuitable matches. A daughter called Harmonia who bought back peace and harmony after wars so that love in the form of Aphrodite could return to the land. Anchises was her son by a human called Anchises who became the hero Aeneas, famous for his exploits in the Trojan War.
