| Eros | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Primordial Gods and the Erotes | |
| The Eros Farnese, a Pompeiian marble thought to be a copy of the colossal Eros of Thespiae by Praxiteles | |
| Major cult center | Thespiae |
| Abode | Mount Olympus |
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Where is Eros from?
ancient GreekEros – from the ancient Greek ἔρως – meaning “love” or “desire” (in a sexual or passionate way). In Classical Greek mythology, the god of love and sex, Eros, was the love child of Aphrodite, goddess of love, beauty, passion and procreation, and Ares, the infamous god of war.
Who was Eros born from?
In the primordial myths, according to Hesiod, Eros was born from Chaos after Gaia and Tartarus and was involved at the beginning of the creation of the cosmos, and he blessed the union of Gaia and Uranus, after which the universe was born.
Is Eros Roman or Greek?
Eros was the Greek god of love, or more precisely, passionate and physical desire. Without warning he selects his targets and forcefully strikes at their hearts, bringing confusion and irrepressible feelings or, in the words of Hesiod, he 'loosens the limbs and weakens the mind' (Theogony, 120).
Is Eros a god or goddess?
Eros was the Greek god of carnal love. In Latin he is called Amor (love) or Cupid (desire). Eros was the assistant, and according to some the son, of Aprhodite, the goddess of love and fertility. He made people fall in love by shooting an arrow into their heart.
Who killed Eros?
Overcome by his wrath, Eros murdered over 300 mortals. When Zeus and Hades learned of Eros's actions, they quickly sent Hermes to stop him. Hermes tried to reason with Eros only to be punched in the face. Hermes in retaliation used his staff to knock Eros out, carrying him back to Olympus unconscious.
Is Eros a demon?
Eros was a god not simply of passion but also of fertility. His brother was Anteros, the god of mutual love, who was sometimes described as his opponent. The chief associates of Eros were Pothos and Himeros (Longing and Desire).
Is Eros good or evil?
It could all be boiled down to a few key points: Eros is heroic and a far cry from his villainous brother. He's fought alongside Earth and the galaxy's greatest heroes, but he's not immune to wreaking havoc in the pursuit of pleasure. If Thanos's whole deal is death, then Eros's is life.
Who was Eros in love with?
PsycheThe myth of Eros and Psyche is probably one of the best love stories in classical mythology. Eros, son of Aphrodite, was the personification of intense love desire and he was depicted throwing arrows to people in order to hit their heart and make them fall in love.
Who is Eros to Zeus?
700 bce), Eros was a primeval god, son of Chaos, the original primeval emptiness of the universe, but later tradition made him the son of Aphrodite, goddess of sexual love and beauty, by either Zeus (the king of the gods), Ares (god of war and of battle), or Hermes (divine messenger of the gods).
Why is Eros blind?
Out of love and desperation she accomplishes everything and gets to see Cupid and discovers that he is blind because of her oil spill. Long story short, he forgives her, family matters sort out and they live happily ever after.
What is Eros color?
In The SeriesErosAbilities:Immortality Flight Invisibility Magic Love MagicPhysical DescriptionGender:MaleHair color:Blond13 more rows
Why is Eros powerful?
Powers. As the God of Lust and infatuation, Eros possess the Magical Ability to cause lust and /or infatuation to arise in an individual be it a Go, a mortal or an animal. As a god, Eros possesses the standard Abilities that common among the Olympian gods such immortality.
What is Eros birth story?
Those sources describe him as the son of Nyx, or the night. In this particular origin story written by Aristophanes, Eros was born after Nyx, the black winged creature, laid an egg that eventually birthed Eros. According to this story, Eros then mated and gave birth to the human race.
Who is Eros real father?
700 bce), Eros was a primeval god, son of Chaos, the original primeval emptiness of the universe, but later tradition made him the son of Aphrodite, goddess of sexual love and beauty, by either Zeus (the king of the gods), Ares (god of war and of battle), or Hermes (divine messenger of the gods).
Is Eros Greek or Hebrew?
Eros (/ˈɪərɒs, ˈɛrɒs/, US: /-oʊs/; from Ancient Greek ἔρως (érōs) 'love, desire') is a concept in ancient Greek philosophy referring to sensual or passionate love, from which the term erotic is derived.
How did Eros become Cupid?
And when the Romans conscripted the Eros mythology, they chose to bring over the more recent iteration of the god as a cute little kid. They named him Cupid, a synonym for Eros that also translates to “desire.” (His mother was likewise Venus, the Roman version of the Greek Aphrodite.)
Who is Eros in Greek mythology?
Eros, in Greek religion, god of love. In the Theogony of Hesiod (fl. 700 bce ), Eros was a primeval god, son of Chaos, the original primeval emptiness of the universe, but later tradition made him the son of Aphrodite, goddess of sexual love and beauty, by either Zeus (the king of the gods), Ares (god of war and of battle), ...
Who was Eros' brother?
His brother was Anteros, the god of mutual love, who was sometimes described as his opponent. The chief associates of Eros were Pothos and Himeros (Longing and Desire). Later writers assumed the existence of a number of Erotes (like the several versions of the Roman Amor).
Where is the Sleeping Eros statue?
Sleeping Eros, bronze, Greek or Roman, 3rd century bce –early 1st century ce; in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City.
Was the Erotidia a child?
In Alexandrian poetry he degenerated into a mischievous child. In Archaic art he was represented as a beautiful winged youth but tended to be made younger and younger until, by the Hellenistic period, he was an infant. His chief cult centre was at Thespiae in Boeotia, where the Erotidia were celebrated.
Eros Origin Story
According to Greek poet Hesiod, Eros was one of four primary divine beings that emerged at the beginning of time. Thus he emerged alongside Chaos (Gap), Gaia (Earth), and Tartarus (darkness). In this account, Eros is not born. Hesiod goes further to describe Eros as the fairest of all those divine beings. He offers advice to the gods and men.
Eros and Aphrodite
Aphrodite, Eros and the Erotes, Greco-Roman fresco from Pompeii C1st A.D., Naples National Archaeological Museum
Eros and Himeros (Desire)
In Hesiod’s Theogony, the god Eros is associated with Himeros (Desire) and the goddess of beauty and sexual love Aphrodite. Eros was said to have been present at the time of Aphrodite’s birth. Due to Eros’ frequent association with Aphrodite, some ancient Greek writers described Eros and Himeors as the offspring of Aphrodite.
Depictions
Going by the popular account which places Eros as the offspring of Aphrodite, the god of love is often depicted as a handsome youth or an infant child. Often times he appears in the company of Aphrodite or his three other siblings – Himeros, Anteros, and Pothos.
Eros and Anteros
In some accounts of the story, Eros and his sibling Anteros are considered rivals. Anteros, the god of requited love, is said to punish people who don’t return the love other people shower on them. Unlike Eros who wields bow and arrows, Anteros carries golden club or lead arrows.
Symbols
According to ancient Greek playwright Euripides, Eros possesses a magical bow and a quiver that contains arrows that he uses to ignite love in people and gods.
Powers and abilities
In some accounts, Eros as a primordial being is credited with helping in the creation of the world. The power of his love helped in bringing balance and harmony in the chaotic environment that existed at the beginning of time.
Who is Eros the child of?
Some stories say Eros is the child of Iris and Zephyrus, and early sources, such as Aristophanes, say he is the offspring of Nyx and Erebus, or Chaos itself, which would make him quite an old god indeed.
Where was Eros honored?
Eros was honored in a general way across much of the ancient Greek world, but there were also specific temples and cults dedicated to his worship, particularly in the southern and central cities. A poetic description of the statue of Eros that appeared in the temple at Thespeia—the earliest known, and most popular cult site—border on the erotic. The Greek writer Callistratus described a statue of Eros that appeared in the temple at Thespeia, the earliest known, and most popular cult site. Callistratus' summary is extremely poetic... and borders on the erotic.
What do you put on Eros' altar?
You can also include a bow and arrow, or symbols of them, on your altar.
When did the Erotidia happen?
The Erotidia happened in March or April, and was an event full of sporting events, games, and art. Interestingly, scholars seem to disagree on whether or not Eros was a god who functioned independently of others, or whether he always appeared complementary to Aphrodite.
What were the offerings made at Eros' temples?
Offerings were made at Eros' temples, in the form of plants and flowers, vessels filled with sacred oils and wine, beautifully crafted jewelry, and sacrifices.
Is Eros a Greek myth?
Eros in Mythology. There does seem to be some question about Eros' parentage. In later Greek myth he is indicated to be Aphrodite's son, but Hesiod portrays him as merely her servant or attendant. Some stories say Eros is the child of Iris and Zephyrus, and early sources, such as Aristophanes, say he is the offspring of Nyx and Erebus, ...
What is the Greek mythology of Eros?
In the 5th century, Nonnus described Eros as flying after Zeus with a quiver full of arrows. Each had a verse inscribed on it detailing the affair with a mortal woman it would bring about.
Who was Eros in Aphrodite?
Eros was both a loyal servant of Aphrodite and a mischievous character whose arrows could cause chaos.
What did Aphrodite do to Eros?
Aphrodite called upon Eros and his peers to do her bidding. As the goddess of love and procreation, she could command Eros to strike men and women with his arrows as either a blessing or a curse. She could cause attraction and desire, but only her son could cause passionate, consuming love.
Why is Eros placed in the temple?
Altars and statues of Eros were often placed within the larger temples of Aphrodite, recognizing his subservience to her. It is notable that, in most versions of Eros’s story, love comes after beauty. Aphrodite was the goddess of sexual attraction and pleasure who gave birth to romantic love.
How did Eros get revenge?
Eros could be spiteful with the use of his arrows. When Apollo chastised him for being a less-skilled archer, Eros got revenge by causing his tragic love of Daphne. The version of Eros portrayed in Aesop’s fables very often uses love to mischievous ends. For example, Eros caused a weasel to fall in love with a man.
Why did Eros graze his own finger?
As he readied the arrow to shoot at Psyche, he grazed his own finger. Eros, the god of love, fell in love with his target. Meanwhile, Psyche’s father had consulted an oracle because he was confused as to why his most beautiful daughter had no offers of marriage.
Who was older, Eros or the Olympians?
Early writers, such as Hesiod in the 7th century BC, claimed that Eros was older than the Olympians. In this version of his story, Eros emerged with the primordial gods at the beginning of the universe.
Who is Eros in Greek Mythology?
According to some Greek traditions, Eros was the god of love and son of Erebus and Nyx (Night), while in others, he was the son of Ares, god of war. As the youngest of the gods and the companion of Aphrodite, he appeared to enjoy making as much mischief as he could by firing his arrows of passion into the hearts of the gods and human alike. His Roman counterpart is CUPID.
Where did Eros come from?
The exact origins and where Eros came from do slightly vary. In some accounts, Eros is a primordial being, a child of Chaos. He was also responsible for blessing the union between Gaia and Uranus, who then created the universe as we know it in Greek mythology.
Why didn't Eros show himself to Psyche?
For those of you wondering why Eros didn’t show himself to Psyche from the very beginning, he believed that true love between a god and a human was impossible and that if he showed himself the Psyche, he would lose her. The story shows us that true love is by no means easy.
Why did Aphrodite pray to the goddess?
She visited Aphrodite’s temple and prayed to the goddess, asking her to persuade her son to take her back. Aphrodite was still overcome with jealousy and wanted her revenge. She told Psyche that to make sure that she was an appropriate wife for her son, she would have to prove herself by completing a series of tasks.
What are Anteros brothers' wings?
The two brothers are often depicted as long-haired males with wings carrying a bow, but depictions of Anteros slightly differ. At times, he can be seen carrying a golden club, and unlike his brother, his wings are more plumed, similar to that of a butterfly.
What did the Tragedians see in Eros?
The ancient Tragedians saw Eros as both positive and negative, as the unions he created would often lead to virtue as well as misery. In these older depictions, he’s often seen as a plump overweight child carrying a bow. You might be somewhat familiar with his Roman counterpart, Cupid.
What is Anteros's love?
Anteros was considered the god of a quieted love, essential ly, love that had been returned or rejected, and thus he was often associated with the concept of mutual love. He was also seen as quite a vengeful god, taking actions against those who rejected the love of others.
What is the Greek god Eros?
Although it is not absolutely certain who his father was, Eros is thought to be the child of Ares, the God of War, and Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love. He has the power to make anyone fall in love by shooting them with an arrow from his golden bow. Eros was full of mischief and he was romantic.
How did Eros fall in love with Aphrodite?
He has the power to make anyone fall in love by shooting them with an arrow from his golden bow. Eros was full of mischief and he was romantic. He fell in love with Psyche (a mortal) when he grazed himself with his own magic arrow. They started a relationship in secret, but Aphrodite found out and she wasn’t pleased.
Why did Eros make Psyche immortal?
He smoothed things over with Aphrodite and made Psyche immortal so that she and Eros could be together. Eros often got his amusement by making poorly matched people fall in love. He had wings and always carried his bow and arrows with him. Eros was the youngest of the gods. Eros had a brother called Anteros.
Who is the youngest Greek god?
Eros was the youngest of the gods. Eros had a brother called Anteros. Anteros punishes those who reject the loving advances of others. Find out more about the other Greek gods and goddesses by clicking the link.
Did Aphrodite and Eros have a relationship?
They started a relationship in secret, but Aphrodite found out and she wasn’t pleased. Aphrodite didn’t think she was good enough for Eros. She set about challenging Psyche. Pshyche, with the help of Eros, passed the tests. Zeus was impressed by the efforts Eros and Psyche had made.
Who is Anteros in Greek mythology?
Anteros was the son of Ares and Aphrodite in Greek mythology, given as a playmate to his brother Eros, who was lonely – the rationale being that love must be answered if it is to prosper. Alternatively, he was said to have arisen from the mutual love between Poseidon and Nerites.
Who is the Greek god of love?
Harmonia. In Greek mythology, Anteros ( Ancient Greek: Ἀντέρως Antérōs) was the god of requited love, literally "love returned" or "counter-love" and also the punisher of those who scorn love and the advances of others, or the avenger of unrequited love. He is one of the Erotes .
Why was the altar to Anteros put up?
An altar to Anteros was put up by the metics in Athens in commemoration of the spurned love of the metic Timagoras, who was rejected by the Athenian Meles. Upon hearing Timagoras' declaration of love for him, the young man mockingly ordered him to throw himself down from the top of a tall rock.
What is Anteros's weapon?
He has been described also as armed with either a golden club or arrows of lead. Anteros, with Eros, was one of a host of winged love gods called Erotes, the ever-youthful winged gods of love, usually depicted as winged boys in the company of Aphrodite or her attendant goddesses.
Eros in Mythology
Early History and Worship
- Eros was honored in a general way across much of the ancient Greek world, but there were also specific temples and cults dedicated to his worship, particularly in the southern and central cities. A poetic description of the statue of Eros that appeared in the temple at Thespeia—the earliest known, and most popular cult site—border on the erotic. The Greek writer Callistratusdescribed …
Festivals and Celebrations
- In the city of Athens, Eros was honored side by side at the acropolis with Aphrodite, starting around the fifth century B.C. Every spring, a festival took place honoring Eros. After all, spring is the season of fertility, so what better time to celebrate a god of passion and lust? The Erotidiahappened in March or April, and was an event full of sporting events, games, and art. Int…
Modern Worship of Eros
- There are still some Hellenic polytheists who honor Eros in their worship today. Appropriate offerings to Eros include fruits like the apple or grapes, or flowers that are representative of love, such as roses. You can also include a bow and arrow, or symbols of them, on your altar. If you're honoring Eros as a deity of fertility, rather than primarily of lust, consider fertility symbols like rab…
Resources and Further Reading
- Seneca the Younger. “Phaedra.” Edited by Aaron J Atsma. Translated by Frank Justus Miller, Classical Texts Library, Theoi Project, 2017. Elder Philostratus, Younger Philostratus, Callistratus. "Descriptions." Edited by Aaron J Atsma. Translated by Arthur Fairbanks, Classical Texts Library, Theoi Project, 2017.