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Aphrodite

Aphrodite is an ancient Greek goddess associated with love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. She is often identified as the counterpart of the Roman goddess Venus. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite was believed to have been born from the sea foam near the island of Cyprus, which is why she is often referred to as "Aphrodite Ourania" (Ἀφροδίτη Οὐρανία), meaning "heavenly Aphrodite" in Greek. The name "Aphrodite" itself is derived from the Greek word "aphros," meaning "foam." In Hebrew, she is known as אפרודיטה (Aprodita). In Latin, she is known as Venus. In Egyptian, she is known as Hathor. Key contextual information includes her significant role in Greek mythology, where she is often depicted as a central figure in numerous myths and stories, including the famous tale of the Trojan War, which was said to have been sparked by the judgment of Paris, in which Aphrodite played a pivotal role. She is also known for her relationships with other deities, such as her marriage to Hephaestus and her affair with Ares, as well as her numerous mortal lovers, including Adonis.

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Aphrodite
Ancient Greek goddess of love
Aphrodite
Aphrodite is an ancient Greek goddess associated with love, lust, beauty, pleasure, passion, procreation, and as her syncretised Roman counterpart Venus, desire, sex, fertility, prosperity, and victory. Aphrodite's major symbols include seashells, myrtles, roses, doves, sparrows, and swans. The cult of Aphrodite was largely derived from that of the Phoenician goddess Astarte, a cognate of the East Semitic goddess Ishtar, whose cult was based on the Sumerian cult of Inanna. Aphrodite's main cult centers were Cythera, Cyprus, Corinth, and Athens. Her main festival was the Aphrodisia, which was celebrated annually in midsummer. In Laconia, Aphrodite was worshipped as a warrior goddess. She was also the patron goddess of prostitutes, an association which led early scholars to propose the concept of sacred prostitution in Greco-Roman culture, an idea which is now generally seen as erroneous.
Last modified: 2025-11-08T16:30:38ZView full article on Wikipedia