Aphrodite

Also known as: Aphrodite Migonitis / Aphrodite of Colias / Celestial Aphrodite / Goddess Inventive / Melænian Aphrodite / Pandemian Aphrodite / Victorious Aphrodite · Family: mythological · Role: goddess · First appears: Book 1 · Chapter 1

At Cnidus, Conon erected a temple to Aphrodite after his victory over the Lacedæmonian fleet. In Athens, Ægeus instituted her worship, while Porphyrion built a temple to the Celestial Aphrodite; later, Theseus established worship of the Pandemian Aphrodite and Persuasion when he united the Athenians. At Acro-Corinthus, the Sun granted her the place, and at her temple a seated figure was designed by Canachus. Tyndareus added fetters to her statue to symbolize the bonds of love, and Paris was said to have built her temple at Migonium.

At Olympia, Eros received Aphrodite as she rose from the sea, and Persuasion crowned her. Pelops offered her a myrtle statue before seeking her help in marrying Hippodamia; elsewhere, Ares was shown leading her away, and Hermes brought her with Hera and Athene before Paris for the beauty judgment. At Argyra, Aphrodite turned Selemnus into a river after Argyra abandoned him, then granted him forgetfulness of her.

After the capture of Ilium, Agapenor founded Paphos and erected a temple to Aphrodite there. Damophon made her wooden temple statue, and Harmonia’s offerings included wooden statues of Aphrodite made from the ships of Cadmus. Aphrodite rescued Creusa from slavery to the Greeks and brought up the orphaned Camiro and Clytie.