Cytherea or also most commonly known as Aphrodite was the Goddess of love and beauty. The Romans identified her as Venus. Aphrodite or Cytherea is said to be born from the foam of Uranus’s severed genitals. In her name Aphrodite, ‘aphro’ means foam. Aphrodite became worshipped for several things depending on the circumstance. For example during the war at Sparta, she was honored as the Goddess of war. She was often worshipped as the goddess of the sea. Read to know Who was Cytherea?
Where did the term Cytherea come from?
Aphrodite who is also known as Cytherea is named after the island Cythera. Cythera is known as the home of Cytherea and on the island, there is a clan that claims to be related to the goddess herself. Cytherea is often interchanged with Aphrodite and she has a lot of tales to her name. The earliest mentions of Cytherea dates back to Ancient Greece. Cythera is Modern Greece is known as Kitahara
Adventures of Cytherea.
In this part of the text, Cytherea and Aphrodite are interchangeable. Depending on where you look or who you ask you will see her name is interchanged many times. However, the more common name that she does go by is Aphrodite. Aphrodite is a common title and concept that is very often used in stories. Many of her tales have given inspiration to the modern retelling of Greek mythology that continues to go around. Some of the most popular stories are those by Rick Riordon and others.
Greek Mythology has always been under great scrutiny. This has to go with the elaborate tales that come with these legends, but also what role they play in modern society. Aphrodite in this regard is quite popular. From her birth to her affairs she seems to have made quite the impression in the mythology.
So what makes Aphrodite quite popular?
- Her beauty: Her beauty is one for the books. Literally. Through every tale, her beauty never fails to be mentioned. She is after all the goddess of beauty. It was a cause of jealousy for some and others she was revered and prayed to. She has featured in many mortal and demi-god stories.
- Aphrodite and Hephaestus
Aphrodite is Zeus’s daughter and in fear that many would cause a war over her beauty, she was married off to Hephaestus. Aphrodite, however, had not stayed faithful to him and instead started an affair with Ares who is the God of War. Aphrodite and Ares had eight children together.
- Aphrodite and the Trojan War.
Aphrodite had a significant role to play in the Trojan War and had sided with the Trojans themselves. One of Aphrodite’s mortal lovers was a shepherd known as Anchises. Together they had a son named Aeneas. Aeneas had a role to play in the Trojan War along with Paris. As she had sided with them, she protected them during the war and had even convinced Ares, the God of War, to help.
In this part of mythology, she was known to be partly responsible for the Trojan War. The war had begun to take shape when Eris, the Goddess of Strife, had given a Golden Apple at the wedding of Peleus and Thetis as a present. The three Goddesses Athena (Goddess of wisdom), Hera, and of course Aphrodite had all wanted the title for themselves. So they began their schemes to sway the verdict. At this point, Paris was asked to be the judge on who would receive the title. Athena had offered him invincibility and strength. Hera had offered Asia and Europe and Aphrodite had offered Paris the most beautiful girl in the world.
In the end, Paris chose Aphrodite, and as a part of the deal, she gave him the most beautiful woman in the world. The girl was known as Helen of Troy. The catch was, Heen of Sparta was already married to Menelaos. As a result of the kidnapping, a war was instigated.
- Aphrodite and Adonis
One of Aphrodite’s most famous affairs was with Adonis. Adonis was known for his beauty as well. Completely enamored by him, Aphrodite had him kept away locked in a chest which was to be guarded by Persephone. However, Persephone had fallen in love with him too and so refused to return him to Aphrodite. And so Zeus had decided to intervene and declare that he would spend four months with Aphrodite and four months with Persephone and the rest of the four months by himself. However, Adonis was unfortunately killed in a hunting accident. As a result, he turned into a flower without a scent. Aphrodite who was completely distraught by his death was commemorated by an only women festival known as Adonia.
- Aphrodite and her representation in art.
Aphrodite is drawn in scenes such as rising from the foam, or even in the Trojan war. However, she did have other representations. Some of those included a mirror, doves, a myrtle wreath, flowers, and so on. She is also depicted as riding a swan.
Aphrodite as the Goddess of love is often seen in many tales. Her beauty is unmatched and she was known as the goddess of love of all kinds. She has been an inspiration for artists for centuries and continues to be studied whether it’s in literature or in novels.
