InAncient Greek religion andmythology, theErotes (/əˈroʊtiːz/;Ancient Greek:ἔρωτες,érōtes) are a collective of winged gods associated with love and sexual intercourse. They are part ofAphrodite'sretinue, along with theCharites.Erotes is the plural ofEros ("Love, Desire"), who as a singular deity has a more complex mythology.
Other named Erotes[citation needed] areAnteros ("Love Returned"),[1]Hedylogos ("Sweet-talk"),Hermaphroditus ("Hermaphrodite" or "Effeminate")[citation needed],Himeros ("Impetuous Love" or "Pressing Desire"),Hymenaios ("Bridal-Hymn"), andPothos ("Desire, Longing", especially for one who is absent).[2]
The Erotes became a motif ofHellenistic art, and may appear inRoman art in the alternate form of multipleCupids orCupids and Psyches. In thelater tradition ofWestern art, Erotes become indistinguishable from figures also known as Cupids, amorini, or amoretti.[3][4]
The Erotes are a group of winged gods in Classical mythology. They are associated with love and sexual desire, and form part of Aphrodite's retinue. The individual Erotes are sometimes linked to particular aspects of love, and are often associated with same-sex desire.[6] Sometimes the Erotes are regarded as manifestations of a singular god,Eros.[7]: 45
Stories of the Erotes'mischief orpranks were a popular theme in Hellenistic culture, particularly in the 2nd century BCE.[8] Spells to attract or repel Erotes were used, in order to induce love or the opposite.[9] Different Erotes represented various facets of love or desire, such asunrequited love (Himeros), mutual love (Anteros) or longing (Pothos).[5]: 133
The Erotes were usually portrayed asnude, handsome, winged youths.[5]: 133 The earliest known sculpturedfriezes depicting a group of Erotes and winged maidens driving chariots pulled bygoats, were created to decoratetheatres in ancient Greece in the 2nd century BCE.[10]: 124–125 The representation of Erotes in such friezes became common, including Erotes inhunting scenes.[10]: 126 Due to their role in the classical mythological pantheon, the Erotes' representation is sometimes purelysymbolic (indicating some form of love) or they may be portrayed as individual characters.[11] The presence of Erotes in otherwise non-sexual images, such as of two women, has been interpreted to indicate ahomoerotic subtext.[11] In the cult of Aphrodite inAnatolia,iconographic images of the goddess with three Erotes symbolized the three realms over which she had dominion: the Earth, sky, and water.[12]
Groups of numerous Erotes are portrayed in ancient Greek andRoman art. In addition, a number of named gods have been regarded as Erotes, sometimes being assigned particular associations with aspects of love.
Anteros (Greek: Ἀντέρως,Antérōs) was the god of requited love, literally "love returned" or "counterpart love". He punished those who scorned love and the advances of others, and was the avenger of unrequited love.[13] Anteros was the son of Ares and Aphrodite inGreek mythology, and given to his brother Eros as a playmate because Eros was lonely. In another version, Anteros arose from mutual feelings betweenPoseidon andNerites.[14] Physically, Anteros was depicted as similar to Eros in every way, though sometimes with longer hair and butterfly wings.[citation needed] He has been described as armed with either agolden club or arrows oflead.[citation needed]
Eros was the original, primordial god oflove andintercourse; he was also worshiped as afertility deity. HisRoman counterpart wasCupid (desire).[citation needed]
In later myths, he was the son of the deities Aphrodite andAres: It is the Eros of these later myths who is one of the erotes. Eros was associated with athleticism, with statues erected ingymnasia,[5]: 132 and "was often regarded as the protector of homosexual love between men."[5]: 132 Eros was depicted as often carrying alyre or bow and arrow. He was also depicted accompanied bydolphins,flutes,roosters,roses, andtorches.[15][5]: 132
Hedylogos or Hedylogus (Ancient Greek:Ἡδυλόγος) was the god ofsweet-talk andflattery. He is not mentioned in any surviving literature, but he is depicted onancient Greek vase paintings.
Hermaphroditus was the god of hermaphrodites, effeminacy and androgyny. He was the son ofHermes andAphrodite. Born a remarkably handsome boy but after thewater nymphSalmacis fell in love with him and she prayed to be united forever, their two forms merged into one.
Himeros (Greek:Ἵμερος "uncontrollable desire", Latin:Himerus) represented desire and unrequited love.[7]: 40 Himeros was identified by his carrying ataenia, a colourful headband worn by athletes.[5]: 178 Hesiod'sTheogony says that he accompanied Aphrodite to the Gods, alongside Eros.[16]
Hymenaeus (Greek:Ὑμέναιος) or Hymen (Greek:Ὑμήν) was the god of weddings and marriage.
Pothos (Greek:Πόθος, "yearning", "desire") was one ofAphrodite's erotes and brother to Himeros and Eros. In some versions of myth, Pothos is the son of Eros, or is portrayed as an independent aspect of him.[5]: 270 Yet others called him son ofZephyrus andIris.[17] He was part of Aphrodite's retinue, and carried a vine, indicating a connection to wine or the godDionysus. Pothos represents longing or yearning.[7]: 40 In the temple ofAphrodite atMegara, there was a sculpture that represented Pothos together withEros and Himeros which has been credited toScopas.[18]
Sometime counted among the Erotes or at least among Aphrodite's retinue, Phthonus was the personification of jealousy and envy,[19] most prominently in matters of romance.
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