guided souls to the underworld and who was the patron god of
travelers, athletes, thieves, and businessmen, as well as god of
communication, inventor of musical instruments, and Olympian
trickster.
She and Ares had three children: a daughter, Harmonia (Har-
mony), and two sons, Deimos (Terror) and Phobos (Fear), who ac-
companied their father in battle. Aphrodite and Ares represent the
union of the two most uncontrollable passions—love and war, which,
when in perfect balance, could produce Harmony.
The child of Aphrodite’s union with Hermes was the bisexual god
Hermaphroditus, who inherited the beauty of both parents, bore
both of their names, and had the sexual characteristics of both. As
a symbol, Hermaphroditus can represent bisexuality (erotic attraction
toward both sexes) or androgyny (the existence, in one person, of
qualities of abilities traditionally considered either masculine or
feminine).
By some accounts, Eros, God of Love, was another of Aphrodite’s
sons. Like Aphrodite, the accounts of his mythological beginnings
and time of appearance in the cosmos are contradictory. Hesiod says
that Eros was a prime force in creation, present before the Titans
and Olympians. Eros was also seen as a god who accompanied
Aphrodite as she emerged from the sea. However, later myths de-
scribe him as a fatherless son of Aphrodite. The Greeks usually
portrayed Eros as a virile young man, as did the Romans who called
him Amor. With time, the Eros who mythologically began as a prime
force became even further diminished, until today what is left of
him is represented by the baby in diapers with a bow and a quiver
of arrows, known as Cupid.
APHRODITE AND MORTALS
Aphrodite’s relationships with mortal men were also important
in her mythology. In some myths, she came to the aid of men who
prayed to her for help. For example, Aphrodite responded to Hippo-
menes’s prayers on the eve of his race with Atalanta. She gave him
three golden apples and advice on how to use them, which saved
his life and helped him win a wife he loved.
Aphrodite: Goddess of Love and Beauty, Creative Woman and Lover