APHRODITE was the Olympian goddess of love, beauty, pleasure and procreation. She was depicted as a beautiful woman often accompanied by the winged godling Eros (Love). Her attributes included a dove, apple, scallop shell and mirror. In classical sculpture and fresco she was usually depicted nude.

MYTHS

Some of the more famous myths featuring the goddess include:

• Her birth from the sea foam.

• Her adulterous affair with the god Ares.

• Her love for Adonis, a handsome Cypriot youth who was tragically killed by a boar.

• Her love for Ankhises (Anchises), a shepherd-prince.

• The judgement of Paris in which the goddess was awarded the prize of the golden apple in return for promising Paris Helene in marriage.

• The Trojan War in which she supported her favourites Paris and Aeneas and was wounded in the fighting.

• The race of Hippomenes for Atalanta, which was won with the help of the goddess and her golden apples.

• The death of Hippolytos, who was destroyed by the goddess for scorning her worship.

• The statue of Pygmalion which was brought to life by Aphrodite in answer to his prayers.

• The persecution of Psykhe (Psyche), the maiden loved by the goddess' son Eros.

These myths and more can be found detailed on the Theoi Project page.