Aphrodite Research Paper

Have you ever heard of Aphrodite? Or maybe, the goddess of love and beauty? If you have heard of one, you have heard of the other, because, Aphrodite and the goddess of love and beauty are the same person! Every greek god has a roman name. For example, Aphrodite’s roman name is Venus, named after a person with a famous armless statue. In myths, Aphrodite is usually found on Mount Olympus or on the Island of Cypress. Aphrodite has the power of transforming something ordinary to something beautiful. Another power that Aphrodite has is attracting lots of men.

    Aphrodite’s mother, Dione, and Aphrodite’s dad, Zeus, were born from chaos, just like all of the other Greek Gods and Goddesses. Aphrodite doesn’t have any direct siblings, but she does have several half siblings, such as, Hephaestus, Ares, Athena, Artemis, Apollo, Hermes, Dionysus and Persephone. Aphrodite was married to Hephaestus, but since she is the goddess of love, she had multiple affairs. Because of Aphrodite having multiple affairs, she had lots of children. Aphrodite’s

children were Anteros, Eros, Demius, Phobus, Harmonia, Eryx, Hermaphrodites, Priapus, Aeneas, Aglaia, Thalia, Euphrosyne, Peitho, Rhodos and Himeros.
    Aphrodite’s mythical place of birth is called 'Petra tou Romiou', which is a place where huge rocks would go along the most beautiful coastline, of the island located on the southwest, called Paphos. In myths, Aphrodite is consistently portrayed, in every image and story, as having had no childhood, and instead of being born as a sophisticated, infinitely desirable adult. She is often depicted nude. In many of the later myths, she is portrayed as vain, ill-tempered and easily offended.
    Aphrodite was named “The Goddess of Love and Beauty”, because, she was very beautiful, and lots of men liked her.

Lots of people know that she is beautiful, but they don’t really know what she looks like. Aphrodite has an orange tint to her blonde hair, and her hair is very curly and wavy. She is very skinny, and she also has a hint of blue in her grey eyes. Being the Goddess of Love, Aphrodite has symbols that are associated with her, love, and beauty. The symbols that are associated with animals are , dolphins, sparrows, swans, and myrtle doves. The other objects, that are symbols, are a girdle, a mirror, a scallop shell, and a rose.

    A festival all about me? I’ll take it! Aphrodisia is a spring festival in honor of Aphrodite, celebrated at The Island of Cypress. Another festival in honor of Aphrodite is called Kinyrades, which is celebrated in the summertime. Kinyrades takes place in Paphos, Cyprus, Aphrodite’s

birthplace.
    Many people know about the Trojan War, but do they know the backstory of what caused the War? The myth of Aphrodite and the Trojan War will tell exactly how the war began. As far as Aphrodite was concerned, there really was no comparison between Aphrodite and her half sister, Helen. Helen was married to the king of Sparta. Aphrodite had no interest in being married at all. Both girls were Zeus' daughters. But Helen's mother was only a mortal. Everyone knew that Aphrodite's mother was probably a goddess. Helen was definitely beautiful. But the truth was, as Aphrodite would tell you herself if you asked her, Aphrodite was the most beautiful goddess in the land. You can imagine Aphrodite's surprise when she heard that Paris, a lowly prince of the city-state of Troy, had claimed her half sister, Helen as the fairest in the land. Aphrodite was not pleased. A wedding was announced in the Greek god world. Eris, the spirit of disagreement, had not been invited. Eris made a unwelcome visit to the wedding reception. She threw a golden apple on the feasting table. "This apple is for whomever is the fairest," Eris proclaimed evilly, hoping to cause trouble. Hera, Aphrodite, and Athena all grabbed for the apple. "It's mine," insisted the three goddesses, Aphrodite was the loudest of them all. Zeus thundered, "Enough. Paris will decide who is the fairest. Hermes, go tell Paris he has a job to do.""Paris!" Aphrodite muttered. "Well, well."Paris found himself facing three of the most powerful goddesses in the world, all wanting his attention. "Paris will decide! Which one of us is the loveliest, Paris?" they demanded an answer. Paris could have said they were all beautiful. But Paris was as foolish as he was handsome. Paris told all three goddesses that whomever offered him the best bribe would be declared the fairest. Aphrodite, wise in the ways of foolish men, promised Paris that his brothers would be so jealous when the king of Sparta's wife, the beautiful Helen, fell instantly in love with him. Paris loved the idea. His brothers were always showing him up and making him feel foolish. This would show them Paris thought! Foolishly, Paris took the bribe. He declared Aphrodite the fairest of them all. Aphrodite kept her promise. That very day foolish Paris and Helen left Greece behind. They traveled together to the city of Troy, where they expected to live happily ever after. No one knows exactly how, but somehow the king heard that his wife, Helen, had been kidnapped by Paris. The king of Sparta went after his wife to rescue her. When the king of Sparta called on the other kings of Greece to help, they rallied to his side. A huge navy of Greek warriors set sail for Troy. That was the beginning of the Trojan War. Ever after, and for all time, Queen Helen of Sparta, the women who caused the destruction of an entire city-state, was no longer known as the half sister of Aphrodite. She was known simply as Helen of Troy.
    In the myth that was listed, In my opinion, Aphrodite’s actions were full of jealousy and hatred in the other goddesses.
    In conclusion, Aphrodite, Venus, The Goddess of Love and Beauty, is full of jealousy, and She loves to be noticed by all of the men.