Aphrodite (Roman Counterpart was Venus) When the Roman Empire conquered the Greeks in 146BC, the Romans assimilated various elements from other cultures and civilisations, including the gods and goddesses that were worshipped by the Ancient Greeks. Many of the Greek gods and goddesses, such as Aphrodite, were therefore adopted by the Romans but were given Latin names. The Roman counterpart of Aphrodite was Venus. Aphrodite and her lover, Ares Facts about Aphrodite The following facts and profile provides a fast overview of Aphrodite: Aphrodite Profile & Fact File Personality: Passionate, weak, all smiles but little substance, unfaithful Appearance: Beautiful, young, elegant and desirable Role & Function: The function of Aphrodite is described as being the goddess of love, sexuality, beauty and desire Status: A Major goddess and one of the Twelve Olympians Symbols: The Dolphin, Rose, Scallop Shell, Mirror and Girdle. The Dove, Sparrow, and Swan Roman Counterpart: The Roman name for this goddess was Venus Name of Husband: Hephaestus (she had lots of liaisons including an affair with Ares) Name of Father: Zeus Name of Mother: Dione Names of Children: Hephaestus and Aphrodite had no children together, but both had children with other lovers The Lovers of Aphrodite Aphrodite was the most perfect of all females. the epitome of beauty. She had many lovers who included Ares, Dionysus, Hermes, Poseidon, Anchises, Adonis, Butes, Phaon, Phaethon. The Children of Aphrodite Although Aphrodite had no children in her arranged marriage to Hephaestus she had many children by her lovers. The names of the children of Aphrodite included Anteros, Aeneas, Astynoos, Beroe, Deimos, god of terror, Eros, god of love, Eryx, the Erotes, Eunomia, Harmonia, Hermaphroditos, Himeros, Iakkhos, Peitho, Phobos, Pothos, Priapos, Rhodoe, Tyche, Herophilos and Lyros. The Family of Aphrodite According to Greek legends and myths the family of Aphrodite were somewhat contradictory. Her parents are described as any of the following: - Father and Mother: Zeus and Dione (most commonly named as her parents)
- Alternate names of Father and Mother: Uranus and Hemera
- Alternate names of Father and Mother: Cronus and Euonyme
- Parent: Uranus alone
Aphrodite and Mount Olympus In Greek Mythology the principle Greek gods, that included Aphrodite, were referred to as the Twelve Olympians and lived on the summit of Mount Olympus which was protected by a special layer of clouds. The gods and goddesses who lived on Mount Olympus attended sumptuous banquets in the council-chamber of the gods and feasted on ambrosia (the food of the gods) and nectar (the drink of the gods). The names of the other Olympian gods were Zeus, Hera, Athena, Hestia or Dionysus, Apollo, Ares, Poseidon, Demeter, Artemis, Hephaestus and Hermes. The Greek Gods Family Tree and Genealogy The genealogy of these ancient deities can be established via the Greek gods family tree which also provides an overview of the relationship of Aphrodite to the other Greek gods and deities. The Greek gods family tree and genealogy provides an overview of her relationship to the other Greek gods and deities. |