Aphrodite is most commonly known as the Goddess of Love & Desire. She has also been known as the Goddess of beauty, fertility, and at times, even wedlock. She has also been refered to as the queen of laughter, the mistress of the graces and of pleasures, and the patroness of courtesans.
There are three myths to the birth of Aphrodite. The first says that she was created from the genitals of Uranus, a famous story told by Hesoid. Uranus (Heaven), refused to allow his children to emerge into the light and perpetually embrace Gaia (earth). Cronus, his son, castrated him and threw his genitals into the sea. This produced Aphrodite. She came from the foam of the sea fully grown. Aphro is the Greek word for foam, hence her name. This Aphrodite is also known as Aphrodite Urania. She represents a pure, spiritual, nobler kind of love. This myth associates her with the creation story and establishes her as one of the oldest divinities.
According to Homer, Aphrodite is known as the daughter of Zeus and Dione. This places her as a younger divinity and a minor goddess. Here, she is known as Aphrodite Pandemos, or Common Aphrodite. She is associated with a meaner, physically satisfying kind of love.
The last myth, says that a huge egg fell into the Euphrates River. Fish rolled it to the bank and doves sat on it to provide heat. Aphrodite hatched and was later refered to as the Syrian Goddess. This is why Syrians do not eat fish or doves.
Being the Goddess of love, Aphrodite had her share of romance as well. She has been romantically linked to Anchises, Ares, Hermes, Phaethon, Dionysus, Butes, and Adonis. Her seductiveness worked so well that even Zeus himself wanted her. But hubris consumed her and rejected him. To punish her, Zeus forced her to marry Hephaestus the lame God. He was the ugliest God and deformed son of Hera. This did not stop her romantic pursuits however. Her most famed affair is that with Ares.
Aphrodite is prominent in many myths and is most famous for her role in the Judgement of Paris.
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