Aphrodite- By: Brianna Falco

Aphrodite is the Goddess of Love and Beauty according to Hesiod's Theogony. Aphrodite had a few main titles such as Lady of Cythera or Lady of Cyprus. She was born in the foam of the waters on the island Cyprus. Supposedly, she rose from the foam when the Titan Cronus slew his father Uranus and threw his genitals into the sea. Aphrodite is the daughter of Zeus and Dione, in the Iliad. Aphrodite was the most beautiful goddess. Many Gods even believed their own rivalry over Aphrodite would cause chaos and war. She married Hephaestus. He was not seen as a threat because of his ugliness, so Zeus married Aphrodite to him. However, Aphrodite had many lovers including Gods and men.

Later, Aphrodite was both Adonis's lover and surrogate mother. Aphrodite had many children including ,Eros, Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, Pothos, Anteros, Himeros, Hermaphroditos, Rhode, Eryx, Peitho, Eunomia, The Graces, Priapus, Aeneas and Tyche (possibly).
Some more interesting facts about Aphrodite is that her symbols are a dolphin, rose, scallop shell, myrtle, dove, sparrow, girdle, mirror, and swan.
Furthermore, Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena were the top three contenders for a gold apple marked “For the Fairest.” Zeus was asked to judge this contest, but he refused. Paris judged the contest and all three of these Goddesses promised him something in return. Aphrodite was crowned winner.  As we read in the Iliad, she fought on the side of Paris, the Trojan side in the Trojan War. She even rescued him from Menelaus.
I enjoy imaging Aphrodite in my head. Aphrodite looks different in all the drawings and paintings of her.  She is described as so beautiful and "Fairest", I wish I could see her through my own eyes.