Aphrodite: Love and Choas

Constantly causing disorder in the mortal world and between the Gods was Aphrodite, the goddess of love, sex, beauty and fertility. Aphrodite’s origin is very mysterious. There are two myths surrounding the birth of this ancient Greek deity. Aphrodite is commonly associated with jealousy and revenge. She always sought punishment for anyone who rejected her, or thought they were more perfect than her.

The most popular myth about her conceptions is that she was born from the foam of Uranus’ genitals. Uranus was in a fight with son, Cronus, who severed his sex organs and threw them into the ocean. Foam started forming near the island of Cythera and Aphrodite arose from the water. She was carried to Cyprus on a shell with the help of Zephyrus, the west winds. Cyprus is known as her actual hometown. From there the Horae, the goddesses of the hours of the day, dressed Aphrodite, and took her to Mount Olympus. There is also a more traditional story about her birth. It is believed that she might be the daughter of Zeus by his aunt Dione. Aphrodite has many children, both immortal and mortal. “As the goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite is often seen naked or provocatively draped with her sacred bird, the dove, in her hand” (National Geographic 142). Even though she is the goddess of beauty, Hera is considered to be the most beautiful immortal. But during the Trojan War, Paris deems Aphrodite as the most beautiful deity.

She is the only goddess with an active sexual life. Many others had a couple of children, and suddenly stopped. In order to control her sexual tendencies, Zeus arranged a marriage for Aphrodite. She married her half-brother, Hephaestus, the god of fire and smithy to the gods. This marriage did not work out well, since...

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...he Medici family in 1486.

The Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty is still an archetype for the perfect body. The Roman name of Aphrodite, Venus, is commonly used in products for beauty products. For example, Venus razors are supposed to make women look better. Most of their commercials are filmed on the beach and in the sea, which relates to Aphrodite’s birth. We can relate the relation between wealth and love to Aphrodite’s myths. Some people nowadays would do anything only for the money. Just like Aphrodite basically started the Trojan War just to be deemed the prettiest and receive Eris’ golden apple.

Without Aphrodite, a major event in history would not have happened. She would not have given Helen to Paris. Troy and Sparta would possibly still exist, the Iliad would not have been written, and subsequently the Odyssey would also not be the same as it is.