In Ancient Greek Mythology, the Erotes (/əˈroʊtiːz/) are a collective of winged gods associated with love and sexual intercourse. They are part of Aphrodite's retinue. Erotes (Greek ἔρωτες) is the plural of Eros ("Love, Desire"), who as a singular deity has a more complex mythology.
The Erotes became a motif of Hellenistic art, and may appear in Roman art in the alternate form of multiple Cupids or Cupids and Psyches. In the later tradition of Western art, Erotes become indistinguishable from figures also known as Cupids, amorini, or amoretti.
General Roles and Attributes[]
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. Sometimes the Erotes are regarded as manifestations of a singular god, Eros.
Stories of the Erotes' mischief or pranks were a popular theme in Hellenistic culture, particularly in the 2nd century BCE. Spells to attract or repel Erotes were used, in order to induce love or the opposite. Different Erotes represented various facets of love or desire, such as unrequited love (Himeros), mutual love (Anteros) or longing (Pothos).
The earliest known sculptured friezes depicting a group of Erotes and winged maidens driving chariots pulled by goats, were created to decorate theatres in ancient Greece in the 2nd century BCE. The representation of Erotes in such friezes became common, including Erotes in hunting scenes. Due to their role in the classical mythological pantheon, the Erotes' representation is sometimes purely symbolic (indicating some form of love) or they may be portrayed as individual characters. The presence of Erotes in otherwise non-sexual images, such as of two women, has been controversially interpreted to indicate a homoerotic subtext. In the cult of Aphrodite in Anatolia, iconographic images of the goddess with three Erotes symbolized the three realms over which she had dominion over Earth, Sky and Sea.
Family[]
- Aphrodite - Mother
- Ares - Father of Eros, Anteros and Himeros
- Zephyrus and Iris - Parents of Pothos
- Hermes - Father of Hermaphroditus
*(Go to Aphrodite or Eros to see why.)
Members[]
- Anteros, god of unrequited and mutual love- (Greek: Ἀντέρως, Antérōs). He punished those who scorned love and the advances of others, and was the avenger of unrequited love. Anteros was the son of Ares and Aphrodite in Greek mythology, and given to his brother Eros as a playmate because Eros was lonely. Physically, Anteros was depicted as similar to Eros in every way, though sometimes with longer hair and butterfly wings. He has been described as armed with either a golden club or arrows of lead.
- Eros, god of love and sexual desire- He was the original, primordial god of love and intercourse; he was also worshiped as a fertility deity. His Roman counterpart was Cupid (desire). In later myths, he was the son of the deities Aphrodite and Ares: It is the Eros of these later myths who is one of the erotes. Eros was associated with athleticism, with statues erected in gymnasia, and "was often regarded as the protector of homosexual love between men." Eros was depicted as often carrying a lyre or bow and arrow. He was also depicted accompanied by dolphins, flutes, roosters, roses, and torches.
- Phanes, god of procreation- He is a primordial god of love and procreation. Some sources sees him and Eros as the same person.
- Hedylogos, god of sweet-talk and flattery- Also known as Hedylogus (Ancient Greek: Ἡδυλογος). He is not mentioned in any existing literature, but he is depicted on ancient Greek vase paintings.
- Hermaphroditus, god of hermaphroditism, effeminacy and andrygony- He was the son of Hermes and Aphrodite. Born a remarkably handsome boy but after the water nymph Salmaciss fell in love with him and she prayed to be united forever, their two forms merged into one. Therefore, he became a hermaphroditic creature. His is usually described being delicate and pretty and at the sametime, he is also boyishly handsome. His upper body has a male feature with a woman's breast and he also has a waist of woman while his lower body has female feature with female buttocks and thighs, alongside male penis. (Sometimes he is also seen with a male and female genitalia at the same time).
- Himeros, god of sexual desire- Himeros (Greek: Ἵμερος "uncontrollable desire", Latin: Himerus). Himeros was identified by his carrying a taenia, a colourful headband worn by athletes. He is described in Hesiod's Theogony as being born alongside Aphrodite.
- Hymenaios, god of the wedding ceremony- (Greek: Ὑμεναιος) or Hymen (Greek: Ὑμην). He is also considered as the god of wedding receptions.
- Pothos, god of passionate longing- Pothos (Greek: Πόθος "yearning") was one of Aphrodite's erotes and brother to Himeros and Eros. In some versions of myth, he is the son of Zephyrus and Iris. He was part of Aphrodite's retinue, and carried a vine, indicating a connection to wine or the god Dionysus. Pothos represents longing or yearning. In the temple of Aphrodite at Megara, there was a sculpture that represented Pothos together with Eros and Himeros which has been credited to Scopas. Pothos is a name for the white Asphodelus albus flower, "used at funerals".
Appearance[]
All of the Erotes is considered being very handsome. They have a white-wing (some of them may have a pair of a butterfly wings) on their back that help them to fly around. They usually seen as carrying a bow and arrow.
Gallery[]
