Aphrodite

= __**Aphrodite**__ =







Story of Aphrodite <3
Who were her parents? It's debatable. Author Homer says that she was the daughter of Zeus and Dione. The more famous opinion of where she came from was created by the poet Hesoid. He said that the Titan Cronus cut off Uranus' genitals and threw them into the sea. A foam was created and suddenly there arose Aphrodite. She was brought to Zeus, who took her in as a goddess. Because of her great beauty, she was considered a threat of war, as many were jealous of her. So Zeus married her to his son Hephaestus, a lowly blacksmith (he created Zeus' lightening bolts). But she was unfaithful to the man and had many lovers. One of the most famous stories about Aphrodite is when the Trojan prince Paris was asked by the three goddesses - Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena - who was the most beautiful among them. Scheming bribers that they were, Hera told Paris that if he chose her he would have much power. Athena offered him victory in battle, but Aphrodite won him over after offering him the marriage to the most beautiful mortal. Unfortunately, this women - Helen of Sparta - was already married, but Paris went to Sparta anyway, kidnapping Helen and taking her as his wife. This started a war between the Trojans and the Spartans; Hera and Athena sided with Sparta while Aphrodite remained allied with Troy. Aphrodite is also involved in other men's lives, such as Jason - whose mission was to find the Golden Fleece - by making helpless, young maidens fall in love with great and powerful men in need. But she also took men for herself, such as Ares, the god of war. She was in love with him for his bravery and brutality when in battle. When not by husband Hephaestus' side, she remained near Ares. Of course, she and her lover had a son whose name was - guess who! - Cupid. 