Aphrodite

Also known as: Cypris / Kypris / Kythereia / Venus · Family: Gods · Role: goddess of love · First appears: Aeschylus, The Suppliants — Scene 5

At Trœzene, Aphrodite opposed Hippolytus for rejecting marriage and honoring Artemis above the gods, resolving to destroy him: “wherein he has erred toward me, I will avenge me on Hippolytus this very day”. She afflicted Phaedra with destructive love, and when Phaedra could not overcome her power, Phaedra chose death. At Thebes, Aphrodite was also associated with the cruel fate that brought Semele to eternal sleep.

At Eurotas, Paris carried Helen away as Aphrodite’s gift, prompting the Greek expedition against Troy. At Troy and on Ida’s mount, Paris awarded Aphrodite the judgment prize over Athena and Hera, and she protected him in battle; she later promised Helen to him as the reward for choosing her beauty. Helen blamed Aphrodite for her departure from home, while Aphrodite opposed Hera’s effort to return Helen and Menelaus to Sparta. In another account, after Hermes brought the three goddesses before Paris, Aphrodite prevailed, though her victory had destructive consequences for Troy.

Elsewhere, Aphrodite was named protectress of Jason’s voyage, umpire between Achelous and Heracles, and the power entrusted with Concord. She was linked with Ares as his paramour, described as parent of Desire and Suasion, and placed with Hera near Zeus; Harmonia was called her daughter, while Dione was her mother. She stood as rival to Athena, was associated with Hector through her wiles, and opposed Phaedra, Hippolytus, Semele, and Helen.