Aphrodite, the goddess of love and desire
Aphrodite, the goddess of love and desire, was an important patron of sailors. She was worshiped in a number of coastal sanctuaries, many of which were located on the island of Cyprus. Aphrodite was also renowned for her role in the Trojan War, where she bribed Paris into taking Helen (reputed to be the most beautiful woman in the world) as his wife and escorting her to Troy, where she ruled as queen until her death.
Her cult and worship
Her cult was widely practiced throughout Greece, and she was honored in a number of eminent temples. Her worship, however, was often highly personal and intimate. Most temples dedicated to Aphrodite were modest in architecture and tended to be more accessible locations for the average citizen to visit.
The powers and attributes of Aphrodite
She was a powerful goddess, often depicted in the nude, and was believed to have the ability to provoke and stimulate desire. She was also the goddess of marriage and sexual union. Her powers of seductive allure were attributed to a special girdle she wore, which was said to imbue mortals and gods with her passions and desires.
Aphrodite's temperament
Although Aphrodite was a loving and generous god, she did not always treat her followers in a kindly manner. She was known to punish those who were unfaithful or mistreated her by causing them to fall in love with mortals. Her rage often led to physical harm, as in the case of Glaucus, a man who was insulted by Aphrodite.
The story of Adonis
When a mortal man named Adonis fell in love with Aphrodite, her jealousy grew. She sent her daughter Persephone to raise him, but she was unable to resist his charms. As a result, they fought over him, and when Adonis reached maturity, he was split into two parts, one half going to each of the women. The other half was given to the god of the sea, Poseidon. The story of this is told in several places, including in the Odyssey and in Homer's Iliad.
Aphrodite's association with fertility and astrology
As a goddess of fertility, she was also associated with the sun and moon. She was a major influence on astrology.
Aphrodite's worship and centers of worship
Her cult was spread throughout the Greek mainland and the islands of Cyprus, where she was especially famous. Her main centers of worship were Paphos on the island of Cyprus and Corinth on the mainland.
Aphrodite in Greek art
She was a popular subject in Greek art and was depicted in a wide range of forms, from classical and archaic sculpture to more modern paintings. She was sometimes seen wearing a scepter or myrtle wreath, or even as a swan.
Origins and attributes of Aphrodite
The goddess was believed to have been born close to the island of Cyprus, where she was particularly venerated. This may suggest that her cult originated in the area before the 7th century BCE, when the Phoenicians settled on the island. Her origins are disputed, but she was probably an Eastern goddess whose cult spread into Greece. The goddess's many attributes - her intensely sensual nature, her propensity for philandering, her love of all things beautiful - may have come from her Eastern roots.
