Aphrodite (Ancient Greek: Ἀφροδίτη,Aphrodítē) is the Ancient Greekgoddess oflove,beauty. She was also the goddess of procreation. Aphrodite is one of theTwelve Olympians. The most beautiful and refined of the goddesses, Aphrodite was married toHephaestus, god of fire and metalworking. Aphrodite had numerous affairs with other beings, the most notable of these beingAres, the god of war.
InHomer'sIliad, one of theOceanids.InHesiod'sTheogony, however, Aphrodite is stated to have risen fromsea foam, formed at the spot whereUranos' genitals landed, afterKronos castrated him and tossed them into the sea. Aphrodite's cult was centered on the islands ofCythera andCyprus, both of which were claimed to be her birthplace. Her main festival was the Aphrodisia, which was celebrated annually every midsummer. TheCharites (minor goddesses of grace and splendor) attended to Aphrodite and served as her handmaidens. Aphrodite's symbols include thedolphin,myrtle,rose,dove,sparrow,swan andpearl, and the dove, sparrow and swan were her sacred animals. The goddessVenus is her Roman equivalent. Aphrodite was quite often described as very beautiful, and was used as a point of comparison for female beauty - but just as she was beautiful, she was just as smart and wise. Aphrodite is also the GreekVenus (mythology)
Aphrodite was very beautiful, which made Zeus afraid that she would be the cause of fights between the other gods. He therefore gave Aphrodite toHephaestus. Hephaestus was happy to be married to Aphrodite and gave her many pieces ofjewelry which were gifts of love, like a belt that when ever she wore it, it would make men be attracted to her. Aphrodite, however, was not attracted to him. So she spent most of her time withAres, but she also spent time withAdonis andAnchises. She had many children.
