►Greek Mythology: “Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares and her Other Lovers”:
“Mars and Venus Surprised by Vulcan” by Joachim Wtewael. (1601).
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Hephaestus (Roman equivalent: Vulcan), the smith and craftsman of the gods, was married to Aphrodite (Roman equivalent: Venus), the goddess of love and beauty.
It was not a good marriage because Aphrodite was as an unfaithful wife.
But Hephaestus also cheated her, for example with Athena, the Greek goddess of reason, intelligent activity, arts and literature.
Aphrodite most notable lovers were the gods Ares (God of War. Roman equivalent: Mars), Dionysius, Greek God of Wine and Fertility, Hermes, (Greek God of herds and herald of the gods. Roman equivalent: Mercury), Zeus (King of Gods. Roman equivalent: Jupiter), Nerites (A young Sea-God who was the very first love of Aphrodite). Poseidon (Greek God of the Sea. Roman equivalent: Neptune), and the mortal, Adonis, who was Myhrra’son.
Except for a few occasions when he was overwhelmed with jealousy or resentment, Hephaestus seemed to accept this arrangement.
Aphrodite had a long love affair with Ares (Roman equivalent), the god of war and strife. Eros, god of Love, would become their son.
Ares was the great Olympian God of War, Battlelust and Manly Courage.
In Greek art he was depicted as either a mature, bearded warrior dressed in battle arms, or a nude beardless youth with helm and spear.
Some of the more famous myths featuring the god include his adulterous affair with Aphrodite whislt she was married to Hephaestus and the slaying of Adonis, his rival for the love of Aphrodite, in the guise of a boar.
Helius, the Sun God was able to see most things during the day, as he drove his sun chariot across the sky. It was one of those days that Helius witnessed Aphrodite taking her lover in her bed, while Hephaestus was absent. Helius easily recognised Ares.
So, he told everything to Hephaestus.
Hephaestus decided to take revenge on the lovers. Thus using his wit and his crafting skills he fashioned an unbreakable net and trapped the two lovers while they were in bed Hephaestus immediately walked back to his bedchamber with a host of other gods to witness the disgraced pair. Only the male Olympians appeared, while the goddesses stayed in Olympus
Poseidon tried to persuade Hephaestus to release the adulterous pair. At first, Hephaestus refused the request, because he wanted to extract the most out of his revenge, but at the end he released his wife and her love. Ares immediately fled to Thrace, while Aphrodite went to Paphos at the island of Cyprus.
According to the roman poet Ovid, Aphrodite made sure to punish the informer, the sun god Helius.
As Helius loved a nymph, named Clytie. Aphrodite made him fall in love with another young woman, named Leucothoe, who was daughter of Orchamus (king of Persia).
Clytie became jealous of her rival, so she spread a rumour saying that she was seduced by a mortal lover. Leucothoe’s father, King Orchamus buried her alive.
Thus, finally, Helius abandoned Clytie, and flew through the sky, driving his chariot for nine days.
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Aphrodite and her Lovers (Source http://www.theoi.com)
Amphora. Details. On the Left: Ares casts a spear at a Gigante from his chariot, driven by the goddess Aphrodite, while Eros aims his bow. On the Right: Aphrodite with doves and her lover Ares. Period: Late Classic (400/350 BC).
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“Mars and Venus” by Sandro Botticelli (1483).
“Mars and Venus” by Sandro Botticelli (1483).
►Description: In the painting Venus watches Mars sleeps while two infant satyrs play carrying his armor as another rests under his arm. A fourth blows a small conch shell in his ear in an effort to wake him. Mars is sleeping the ‘little death’ which comes after making love, and not even a trumpet in his ear will wake him. The little satyrs have stolen his lance – a joke to show that he is now disarmed. The scene is set in a haunted forest, and the sense of perspective and horizon extremely tight and compact. In the foreground, a swarm of wasps hovers around Mars’ head, possibly as a symbol that love is often accompanied by pain.
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►Aphrodite (Venus), her husband Hephaetus (Vulcan) and her lover Ares (Mars):
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►Aphrodite (Venus) and her other Lovers:
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►Links Post:
http://www.godandgoddess.com/the-goddess-aphrodite.html
http://smart-pustaka.blogspot.com.ar/2011/02/dewi-aphrodite.html
http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/AphroditeLoves.html
http://www.timelessmyths.com/classical/lovers.html
http://www.timelessmyths.com/classical/lovers.html
http://www.maicar.com/GML/Aphrodite.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_and_Venus_(Botticelli)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hephaestus
http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/HephaistosLoves.html
http://www.greek-gods.org/olympian-gods/aphrodite.php
http://www.mythindex.com/greek-mythology/A/Ares.html
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Aquileana
⚡️La Audacia de Aquiles⚡️ 
fascinating!
Thanks a bunch, dear Cindy… Wishing you all the very best!.
Aquileana 😀
Masterful post… as ever. I especially love the paintings. You’re a teacher, I mean, a Teacher. Merci beaucoup 🙂
Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment dear F…
Sending you my very best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Thanks @wordsinthelight for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😛
Great post, dear Aquileana! Unhappy marriage isn’t easy to bear, even among the Gods. I am disappointed with Ares who fled from the mother of his children, but it isn’t anything new either. Thank you for the thorough research and sharing! Have a good day! 🙂
Inese
Hello dear Inese!,
You are right… Ares’ behaviour wasn’t anything new!… And as a matter of fact Zeus was a big cheater too.
I am pleased to know that you found this post interesting, Thanks for dropping by and commenting!. Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Yes, even Zeus didn’t miss his chance… Everything like in real life 🙂
Have a great weekend my dear! 🙂
Exactly… “That’s Life that’s what people say” ♪♫
Happy weekend and hugs, dear Inese,
Aquileana 😛
Thanks @Inessa_ie for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😛
You find such splendid images to illustrate your posts, well done indeed I admire you.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment dear Susan!.
Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Once more, Greek Mythology was riddled with promiscuity and sexual innuendo. Powerful individuals enjoying their liberties in excess (Does it sound familiar to today’s era?) Note: Typo on 5th line: But Hephaestus also cheated her…
Loved the post Aquileana! 🙂 My best wishes to you dear! 🙂
What a great commen, HJt… You are right in this case (among many others) Gods and Goddesses lost the Golden Mean, in other words: balance.
Thanks for telling me about the him-her mistake. I already fixed it!!
All the very best to you and happy weekend!, Aquileana 😛
Aquileana, what an interesting and drama filled post.. Better than anything on TV lol… I hope you have a wonderful day and week. Thank you for being amazing you and sharing the awesome posts that you share! 🙂
Hello Joe!,
I am pleased to know that you found this post interesting.. And I totally agree with you, the plot would perfectly fit a soap opera! 🙂 Thanks for dropping by and commenting!. Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Oh there are many lines of cheating going on here between the Gods and Goddesses! It’s as though Marie and Joe111 are watching their tales – or not!! I am learning so much, Aqui! I like that you also are explaining about the artwork in your posts now as that adds another level of understanding for me. Thanks xo Have a great day, honey!
Love CB in BC 🙂
Chris!,
What a lovely comment… you made me smile high 😀
Oh yes that Joe111 might have had Ares’ behaviour in mind… And Marie… Well maybe she read about Aphrodite’s affairs, don’t you think?. I am really glad to know that you liked the post and I absolutely appreciate your words here. Much love ❤ Aquileana 😀
Thanks @christybis for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😛
Awe, it is my pleasure to respond with this comment and I appreciate YOUR words back to me! BIG smiles here and wishing you a wonderful day xoxo 🙂
Helius was a bit of a tattle tale. Enjoying this series. 🙂
I am pleased to know that you liked this one, Ladysighs!… Thanks for dropping by and commenting!. Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Aquileana, very impressive story between the goddess’ lovers, very interested to know. Thank you so much for the share. Wish you have a nice day dear friend.
Hi dear Passion Dew!
Thank you very much for dropping by and for your thoughtful words here. I wish you the very best, always ❤ Aquileana 😀
It’s like a soap opera 😉
Indeed it is, Jeff… Thank you!. Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Nice work, Aquileana, as always dear.. ❤
Hi dear Leyla!
Thank you very much. I wish you the very best. Enjoy your weekend! ❤ Aquileana 😀
This is so fascinating! I can’t wait for the next post. I also enjoy all the artwork you have found – you are such a good researcher.
Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your lovely comment here!. I much apprecaiete your words, dear Clare!
Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
I learn some Greek Mythology , I didn’t know such things, of course.
I’m impressed.
Have a good night.
🙂 Dany
Hi Dany!, I am happy to know that you learnt new facts on Greek Mythology!…
Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your comment here!.
Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Wow, this is a great post and wonderful pictures.
Thank you very much, Pam
I am glad to know that you enjoyed the reading and paintings!
Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
All I can say is even though Aphrodite “got around” many of the Gods surely behaved badly. Many mortals, to this day, yet, behave in the Gods’ footsteps in spite of the Gods’ lessons.
Good one Resa. Wonderful comment … Yes Aphrodite liked to get around indeed… But some many other Gods and Goddesses were similar to her… And of course nowadays we might still pick up this approach of the ancient legacy… Some things never change!.
All the best to you! ❤ Aquileana
<#
Oops..<3 "lol"
Hehehe… I love them Both ❤ <# Resa!
Aquileana 😛
“Lol” much, much, and more <# to you Aquileana!
Good gracious, it’s like a soap opera! All the drama. I’ve always thought it fascinating how the Greek gods were so human-like with their numerous flaws, such as jealousy and vanity. Maybe that made them more attainable to those who worshiped them. I always felt bad for Hephaestus having to marry Aphrodite; that relationship was doomed from the start. And what a scoundrel Ares was, to flee to Thrace after he was caught with Aphrodite. Another wonderfully informative post, Aquileana! I always look forward to them. I hope you have a great weekend!
Hi dear Miranda.
I love your comment… You are right regarding the so human-like behaviour of these Gods and Goddesses … You made a great point when you say that maybe these features made them more attainable to those mortals who worshiped them. Things changed when we entered the Christian era, didn’t they?.
All the best to you. And thanks a lot for dropping by! ❤
Aquileana 😀
Oh yes, things certainly did change! Though I find it interesting that the Christian god, while supposedly perfect, has human attributes that are considered undesirable–he claims to be a jealous god, and he’s certainly full of wrath, at least in the Old Testament. He makes a lot of the Greek gods seem downright angelic! 🙂
Have a great weekend, my friend!
Good points regarding God’s portrait in the Old Testament… I bet Friedrich Nietzsche would also nod in agreement with you, cara Miranda!!!. 😉
Much love and hope you have a marvelous weekend!,
Aquileana 😛
Once again a dazzling post. I’m loving your depth on these stories. I was always fascinated by the ancient gods and goddesses but you really bring them to life down to the illustrations. Happy weekend when it comes xx
Shehanne!… Thanks a lot my dear ❤
Your words here are the best gift!. Much love and happy weekend ahead to you, Aquileana 😀
Thanks @ShehanneMoore for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😛
What passion, those Greeks always living life at its fullest!
You are so right dear Maria… Truly well said!.
Love, Aquileana 😛
Astrologically, the old stories make a lot of sense. To think – all these kosmic characters continue to take up residence in our collective psyche. Not only is happiness to be found inside our minds — we must emote and endure, amorally, all the god-given possibilities, for better and for worse, if we wish to call ourselves human. It comes with the territory. Nuff said. Thanks for racking my brains again, dear friend! 🙂 Always a treat to see teats and ass in vogue. Cheerz to good health! Peace and luvz, UT
Dear Uncle tree!,
thanks a bunch for your comment… I particularly liked when you mentioned the god-given possibilities that we have as human beings… I am now thinking that we tend to be a little bit narrowed regarding them nowadays… At least socially and culturally speaking!. I am wishing you a great weekend ahead and will stop by your blog very soon!. Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Happy weekend to you, too, teach! Can I offer you a classic from ol’ Uncle Tree? ❤
http://uncletreeshouse.com/2012/02/12/the-day-the-sun-made-love/
Great…I’ll check it out soon, dear Keith… If not late tonight, tomorrow.
Love ❤ and thanks for everything!, Aquileana 😛
Ce qui est sûr ce qu’ils n’avaient pas le temps de s’ennuyer et heureusement, ce sont des dieux car il faut une sacré santé 🙂
Si humains pourtant, aussi
Voilà!.. Bien dit chère Elisabeth ! 😉
Je te remercie pour ton commentaire et je te souhaite un excellent week-end. Mes meilleurs vœux pour toi!, Aquileana 😀
Fabulous as ever, Aquileana, you are as much a treasure as the subjects you so graciously share with us.
Another triumph!
Big hugs
John
Hi dear John!
Thank you very much for dropping by and for your thoughtful words here. I wish you the very best, always!, Aquileana 😀
Absorbing and enthralling 🙂
Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your thoughtful comment here, Margaret!.
Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Aphrodite must have been a hottie.
Nice one Frank!… Yes, good point about Aphrodite! .
Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
Ah, what a complicated life Venus had. 🙂 I think I’d prefer Ceres’ rather simpler and plainer life.
Thank you for the work you put into your posts. 🙂
I just have one question: I just read today my 3rg grader’s mythology lesson about the origin of the Sunflower. In that story, Clytie was in love with Apollo (who had since taken over Helios’ position as Sun God. She was so in love that she left her sea home to follow Apollo as he journeyed through the sky. When afternoon came, she found that she could not go back to the sea anymore because she was rooted to the ground and turned to a sunflower.
Did she fall in love with Helios first before she fell in love with Apollo?
Hi Imelda.
Thank you very much for dropping by and for your comment here
Regarding your question…. As far as I know -after checking out the myth and asking Maria from the Tropical Flowering Zone who helped me understand this issue as well- Apollo and Helios are one and the same .
In Euripides play “Phaethon”. . .He calls him Helios in the very beginning, but ends by calling him Apollo (from Apollon, the destroyer)
Check out source below: Scroll it down to section 2 . . .
Source(s): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helios
You can check out more on this identity here (In this version Helios is directly called Apollo)
http://www.heritage-history.com/?c=read&author=francillon&book=gods&story=sunflower
Finally I suggest you to take a peek here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helios#Helios_and_Apollo
In the previous article it says:
“Apollo is the roman god of sun, and Helios is the Greek god of sun”
“Helios is sometimes identified with Apollo: “Different names may refer to the same being,” Walter Burkert observes, “or else they may be consciously equated, as in the case of Apollo and Helios.”
In Homer, Apollo is clearly identified as a different god, a plague-dealer with a silver (not golden) bow and no solar features.
The earliest certain reference to Apollo identified with Helios appears in the surviving fragments of Euripides’ play Phaethon in a speech near the end, Clymene, Phaethon’s mother, laments that Helios has destroyed her child, that Helios whom men rightly call Apollo (the name Apollo is here understood to mean Apollon “Destroyer”).
By Hellenistic times Apollo had become closely connected with the Sun in cult. His epithet Phoebus, Phoibos “shining”, drawn from Helios, was later also applied by Latin poets to the sun-god Sol.”
I hope the information helped!…All the very best to you, Aquileana 😛
Thank you very much for the reply and for the research and work that went into it. I will check out the sources. 🙂
I have a very cursory knowledge of Greek and Roman Mythology. I owe most of my know to my children’s lessons and their own interest in Greek Mythology.
I am the one who is grateful to you dear Imelda… You helped me clarify this issue and as a matter of fact I had no idea that Helios and Apollo were the same God…
By the way, I forgot to mention that Apollo is the only Greek God whose roman equivalent’s name is the same one than the Greek one (i.e Apollo in both cases).
Have awonderful sunday ahead.
Love, Aquileana 😀
Reblogged this on Apollo's Raven and commented:
Check Out Article from One of My Favorite Blogs
Thanks dear @linneatanner for reblogging this post and for sharing it at Twitter, Aquileana 😀
Thanks @golcar1 for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😛
I love this write — beautifully done, Aquileana.
That “little death” thing comes up repeatedly in literature and art — and makes an interesting way to compare cultures. 🙂
Hi Chris, I am pleased to know that you liked this post. And thanks for highlighting that point on “the little death”… You are right, it is a topic that artists and particular poets during the 19th century feel mesmerizing about!.
Happy weekenD to you! Aquileana 😀
Happy Weekend, Aquileana !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bonjour AQUILEANA C est beau sur ton blog
Notre amitié est sincère et pure
Toutes les plus belles paroles
Tous les plus beaux poèmes
Toutes les plus belles citations
Tous les plus beaux textes
Ne sont que goutte d’eau
Par rapport à l’immensité de notre amitié
Je te souhaite une très fin de semaine en famille ou en amies (is)
Bernard , Bise
Merci beaucoup Bernard… Tes commentaires et images sont toujours superbes.
Bisous et bon dimanche pour toi!, Aquileana 😀
Thanks again for introducing and explaining another fascinating character of Greek mythology. What an amazing story 🙂
Wish you a great day,
Takami
Hi dear Takami,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful words…
They mean a lot to me and I much appreciate them …
Best wishes and happy weekend ahead to you, Aquileana 😀
Lovely post, Aguileana, I am fascinated by the complexity of your texts and authenticated detail of Greek mythology, a captivating topic. Beautifully written!
Hi Heartafire, I am pleased to know that you liked this one… Thank you very much for your kind words here. Best wishes, Aquileana 😛
Hola, Aquileana.
Thanks once again for sharing with us this post on the characters Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares and her other lovers. Complexity, infidelity, jealousy and adultery all affect the emotions and cause the breakdown in human relationships – still prevalent in today’s world.
This reminds me of Shakespeare’s play “The Winter’s Tale” where these webs of emotions were so aptly portrayed.
The mythological images complement your write-up very well. Great work, Aquileana. 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend, all the best. Iris 🙂
Dear Iris,
Your great comment adds so much to the post here… Shakespeare did in fact had in mind greek myths and greek ancient autors when he worte many of his plays…
For instance he wrote about Myrrha (Adonis’ mother) in “Othello” (1603).
“In act 5, scene 2 the main character Othello compares himself to a myrrh tree with its constant stream of tears (Myrrha’s tears).
The reference is justified in the way that it draws inspiration from Book X of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, just like Shakespeare’s previously written poem, Venus and Adonis, dated 1593”
(At http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrrha#Cultural_impact)
I didn’t read Shakespeare’s play “The Winter’s Tale”
But after searching it online, I found the similarities you might have been making reference to.
I think that this excerpt might be eloquent somehow to prove it:
“Leontes (King of Sicilia) goes insane and suspects that his pregnant wife (Queen Hermione) has been having an affair with Polixenes (King of Bohemia) and that the child is a bastard. Leontes orders Camillo, a Sicilian Lord, to poison Polixenes… Camillo instead warns Polixenes and they both flee to Bohemia.
As the story goes on I could note similarities with Oedipus tragedy by Sophocles … As in this case Hemione’s baby is rescued by a shepherd. And the same thing happens with Oedipus.
(At http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrrha#Cultural_impact)
Remarkable analogies!. Thanks a bunch for telling me about this play by Shakespeare, dear Iris… You never cease to amaze me 😉
Wishing you a great weekend. Love, Aquileana 😀
Bonjour Aquileana,
Je viens de lire ton remarquable billet, c’est superbe. Les toiles sont magnifiques et j’aime beaucoup celle de Botticelli.
Je te souhaite un ton bon week-end.
Bises et mes amitiés 🙂
Salut Denise!,
Merci beaucoup pour ton commentaire.
Je te remercie pour tes belles mots… Moi j’ aime bien aussi le toile de
Botticelli… Merci beaucoup… Je te souhaite une douce fin de semaine Mes meilleurs vœux pour toi!, Aquileana 😀
Aquileana, another wonderful post, which also includes the most beautiful artwork, depicting my now favorite mythological player, Aphrodite. You almost love to hate her. She is of such great fascination and predictably cruel. Thank you for sharing your insights, always a delight to read! Have a fantastic weekend!
Warm wishes,
Pepper
Dear Pepper… What a wonderful comment!… I feel I almost love to hate her indeed!… I was just thinking that she is a main character, almost as important as Zeus himself… That’s why she tend to appear and re-appear!… Such a Goddess! … Thanks a lot for dropping by. Wishing you a great weekend ahead, Aquileana 😛
Reblogged this on eolo.
Thanks dear Teresa for reblogging this post at your blog!. Best wishes ❤ Aquileana 😀
🙂 hugs!
It’s interesting to think about the relationship between things like love and war, love and craft, and the children they create as we look at the relationships of these gods.
Good points over there on your comment… Thinking about the implicit dichotomies in these kind of myths makes them deeper in meanings and interpretations!. Thank you very much for dropping by!,
Best wishes, Aquileana 😛
Thanks @broadblogs for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😀
Although the Greeks pretty much did what they wanted to, I found this interesting view of how Freud viewed the “Love Triangles”, which he called the “Oedipal Triangles”:
“Psychoanalysis has explored ‘the theme of erotic love triangles and their roots in the Oedipal triangle’. Experience suggests that ‘a repeated pattern of forming or being caught in love triangle can be much dissolved by beginning to analyse the patterns of the childhood relationship to each parent in turn and to both parents as a couple’. In such instances, ‘you find men who are attracted only by married woman but who can’t sustain the relationship if it threatens to become more than an affair. They need the husband to protect them from a full relationship…as women who repeatedly get involved with married men need the wives’.”
It’s interesting because it explains how in modern age some “love triangles” don’t work themselves through. According to what Freud is saying, the unfaithful lover unconsciously does not want it so, and is thus waiting to “rescued” out of the affair by his/her lover’s partner.
All this at an unconscious level. But this I suppose could be different, taking into consideration the reality that the Oedipus complex does eventually get resolved in adulthood, simply because people have to “grow up” regardless, and make decisions.
Hi dear Maria!,
You have brought a very interesting point here… I guess we can take the Freudian approach as a category to better understand behaviours and personalities…
So, following your lines, we could say that Hephaestus and Aphrodite were part of an “Oedipal triangle’.
I wondered which were the repeated patterns of Ares’ childhood experiences and also know more about his parents though (see I will have to write on him in particular to unravel this)…
In this sense he would feel attracted to Aphrodite because of the fact that she was mainly a married woman… However, my note here: we must also keep in mind that she was the most beautiful greek Goddess.
Finally you say above”
“They (lovers, in this case Ares) need the husband to protect them from a full relationship”…
This is when you conclude:
“According to what Freud is saying, the unfaithful lover unconsciously does not want it so, is thus waiting to “rescued” out of the affair by his/her lover’s partner”.
Ares wants unconsciouly to be caught in the moment by Hephaestus… (as it happens in the Greek Myth)… This is interesting indeed…
I am sure that the “unbreakable net” must symbolize a sort of embarrassing punishment, with the Super Ego, and somehow being it related with a moral statement which later on in the Bible would become a commandment (“You shall not commit adultery”)
Thanks a lot for the in depth reading and comment here… ❤
And also for your help today. Many hugs, Aquileana 😀
Aquileana you teach me things I have probably read about long ago and forgotten. They really got up to a lot of mischief and Im sure the soap opera’s of today are tame compared to the gods. What I do love also is the women have beautiful shapely bodies. Have a great day.
I am grateful to read your comment tonight and very pleased to know that you enjoyed it… well said: these greek myths could be perfectly compared to Soap Operas nowadays… But I’d say that they were even tougher, don’t you think?
Thank you very much for dropping by. All the very best to you, Aquileana 😀
Thanks for another post that helps flesh-out the knowledge I gained from my trip to Greece. I distinctly remember sitting on the steps of the temple of Hephaestus at the end of a very long day in and around the Acropolis and the Agora, but all remembered reading about then was that he was the blacksmith to the gods. Your posts bring so much more context to the bits and pieces I learned about on my trip 🙂
Jeri!.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with me regarding your trip to Greece… No wonder why you are a writer, as I read through your lines above I can figure out the whole scene. I picture you with a sort of melancholic face… Perhaps wondering about Life and Time, being surrounded by all those beautiful ancient ruins.. Sigh!… Hopefully one day I’ll experience it all by myself. Best wishes and happy weekend to you, Aquileana 😛
Thanks @JeriWB for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😀
Aquileana como siempre es un placer leerte.
En armenio la terminación en ian de los apellidos significa hijos de y el mio es Demirjian hijo de herrero y artesano,espero a una Afrodita y aprender de lo sucedido,aunque lo dejo al designo de los dioses…
Un Beso!
Rub!. Muchas gracias por leer y comentar… Recuerdo haber escuchado lo de la terminación en ian en armenio, es como ez en castellano, hijo de … Asvanian era el apellido de una amiga del colegio secundario, creo que significa hijo del molinero, cierto?.
Te mando un abrazo y a la brevedad paso a visitarte, Aquilena 😀
Gracias Aquileana y nos leemos
Ruben.
Oh what a beautiful narration illustrated with the exotic gods and goddesses. I thank you Aquileana for the wonderful education.
Kindest regards. 😊
Thank you very much for dropping by. I am pleased to know that you liked this post and I much appreciate your words here, Dilip!. All the very best to you, Aquileana 😀
Thanks @samknovels for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😀
This is a fascinating history of Aphrodite and her lovers. Thank you for giving us the wonderful context, Aquileana!
Hi dear Renate, Thanks for your kind words here and for the pingback on the Venus de Milo. By the way, Aphrodite has become my favorite Greek Goddess. Best wishes to you, Aquileana 😀
She is my favorite, too! You and I are kindred spirits, indeed. 🙂 You are very welcome – I derive much information from your wonderful blog!
Take care, my friend, Renate
I guess that’s the reason our paths jointed somehow!…
Thanks for the lovely comment, my friend.
Love, Aquileana 😛
[…] ►Greek Mythology: “Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares and her Other Lovers”: “Mars and Venus Surprised by Vulcan” by Joachim Wtewael. (1601). […]
This post was shared at Scoopit, Aquileana 😀
[…] of her hips). Capturing a photo of her full figure was painfully difficult as she still – just as certainly as she did those many centuries ago – seduces and draws close all who see her and those darned other tourists kept getting in my […]
Merci pour cette histoire d’Aphrodite
Bon week-end
bises
Merci pour lire et laisser cette image et ton commentaire ici, Georges.
Je te souhaite un merveilleux dimanche!. Bises, Aquileana 😀
Gods cheating on each other. I love the Greeks! and their mythology.
Fascinating post as always
Thank you very much for dropping by, dear Makagutu. I am pleased to know that you are enjoying this saga on Aphrodite. Best wishes to you, always, Aquileana 😛
Thanks dear.
You present them so well and the photos say more than 1000 words.
Have a pleasant day
Thanks for the kind words, my dear Makagutu.
I am wishing you a great week ahead.
Hugs to you, Aquileana 😀
Another brilliant post as usual. You don’t happen to teach this subject do you? If not, you should!
I wrote a poem awhile back you might enjoy.
http://toritto.wordpress.com/2014/09/21/diana-laughed/
Regards.
Thank you very much for dropping by, dear Toritto. And also thanks for sharing your poem… I loved it… All the very best to you, always, Aquileana 😀
love and war can never have a happy ending!! Wonderful stories Aquileana as always!
Hi dear Cybele!. Thank you very much for dropping by… I am truly happy to know that you liked this post. Hope you have a great week ahead, best wishes, Aquileana 😛
Wow! What a amazing post and beautiful paintings.
I loved it. Thanks for sharing with us.
Kisses and happy sunday!
Thank you very much dear Rotze!…
I am pleased to know that you liked this post.
I am sending you hugs and kisses.
I hope you have a great week ahead, Aquileana 😀
Thanks @rotzemardini for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😛
Another excellent article. I enjoyed both reading and pictures. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Have a wonderful Sunday, Aquileana, and all the best! 🙂
Thank you very much for your lovely words and support, dear Ştefania.
Have a great week ahead. Best wishes to you ❤
Aquileana 😛
Hello Aquileana,
Poor Aphrodite earned a bad reputation concerning marital fidelity, but it wasn’t always her fault. First of all, she was married to old Hephaestus against her wish, and he also cheated on her. How could Athena, the Greek goddess of reason and intelligent activity fall for a god like Hephaestus? 🙂
Aphrodite’s Seven Divine Loves might have inspired Elizabeth Taylor to acquire several husbands! She was also a goddess of beauty and love.
“Mars and Venus” by Sandro Botticelli (1483) is a remarkable painting. It shows exactly how a man and woman feel after making love: he, totally exhausted, asleep; she, somewhat bemused by his state.
Thank you for this marvellous story about Aphrodite’s love life and the great selection of artwork.
Have a lovely week. Cheers 🙂 Irina
Thanks @kookadim for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 🙂
Hi dear Irina!.
What a lovely and witty comment… You are right Hephaestus was not the handsome type of God, either.
I think Athena was with him against her own will though (that would be a future post).
Oh yes, Elizabeth Taylor would be a sort of modern Aphrodite!… True, she is amazingly pretty!.
I am glad to know that you enjoyed Botticelli’s painting and the brief descriptions on it.
Thanks for sharing your insights regarding it and for taking time to read in-depth, my friend ❤
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead. Many hugs, Aquileana 😀
“I think Athena was with him against her own will though (that would be a future post).”
Aha. Well, I’m reassured now that Athena was after all endowed with superior intelligence. Looking forward to that future post. 🙂
Hugs, Irina
Thanks for the encouragement, dear Irina!… Soon it will be!
Love & hugs, Aquileana 😛
Ah Hephaestus, my favourite of the Greek gods – poor guy had no chance of keeping up with that wife of his 😉
And I had no idea that Ares was the boar who killed Adonis – the swine!
That poor woman buried alive by her own father. Interesting, and depressing, to realise that, whilst no one really believes in people or gods turning into boars any more, there are still people who believe in “honour killings.” Now there’s a misnomer if ever there was one.
Another intriguing read and visual feast – thanks, Aquileana!
Blake!.
Your comment is marvelous… Thanks for highlighting details and intertwined facts related with previous greek myths.
I also thought that the detail of the young daughter buried alive was awfully cruel… Oh my!…
I am truly grateful to have such a clever reader as you are, Sue… You never cease to amaze me!.
All the very best to you, always, Aquileana 😛
Ah well, thanks to you for rekindling my interest in all these marvellous myths, Aquileana 😉
Thanks for dropping by Blake… I have just visited your blog and loved your latest post!.
Love, Aquileana 😀
Thanks @Blakefeline for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 🙂
I suspect that she was less of a slut and more the product of a society only slightly less misogynistic than the current one. Only my opinion but I scold you for not giving us your interpretation Aquileana.
Hi dear Mike… “A little bit less misogynistic”, yes I agree… At least I would say That Aphrodite was an assertive, well determined in her behaviours and thus not the passive type of Goddess… Maybe the female version of Zeus himself. (That’s briefly my opinion). Thanks a lot for dropping by. Happy week ahead to you, Aquileana 😀
Wieder sehr schön wünsche dir eine gute neue Woche liebe Grüße Gislinde
Vielen Dank, Gislinde für den Kommentar und Unterstützung.
Eine Umarmung für dich, Aquileana 😛
Really informative and beautifully illustrated post – the Ancient Greeks inspired some amazing art and artists didn’t they? Thank you for visiting my blog and for the follow – very much appreciated! 🙂
Maxine!. Thanks a lot for dropping by!…
It was my pleasure to visit your blog. Keep it up with the great posts.
All the very best to you, Aquileana 😀
Te he nominado para el PREMIO DARDOS
Puedes revisar mi entrada en
http://techocolatecafe.wordpress.com/2014/10/06/premio-dardos/
Muchas gracias por tener en cuenta el blog.
Un abrazo para vos, Aquileana 😀
PRECIOSAS HISTRIAS MITOLOGICAS, ALGUNAS LAS CONOCIA OTRAS NO Y POR ESO ME ENCANTA LEERLAS, ES DE UNA GRAN FASCINACION PODER TENER A MANO UN BLOG DE ESTA CATEGORIA, UN ABRAZO MUY FUERTE
Hola Lambertus,
Te agradezco mucho tus palabras. Muy bueno saber que te ha gustado.
Un abrazo grande para vos, Aquileana 😀
Simply Brilliant! Aphrodite or “Cytherea” in love with her! She’s beautiful! Had read of her many things earlier. This presentation way simply fantastic.
Be Bettr, Stay Bettr!
Swetank.
Hi dear Swetank!,
I am so happy to know that you enjoyed this post, my friend…
Thank you very much for taking time to read and comment.
Best wishes and happy week to you, Aquileana 😛
Welcome my friend!! I had new post, if possible be sure to visit them and have your valuable thoughts. Its been long I last published, I wasn’t well and studies. Hopefully managed to do a post. I hope you will like it! 🙂
Be Bettr, Stay Bettr! 🙂
Swetank.
Thanks @IamSwetank for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😀
Most welcome my dear friend!! Hope you are having a great time! 🙂 XO
Swetank. 😀
So far so good, dear Swetank… I have just stopped by your blog. Cool update!. Hugs, Aquileana 😀
I hope I managed to back on the track after 2 weeks. Many Hugs my friend! I hope you have a lovely evening! 🙂 Ohh! yes, are you all set for Halloween? I really like that festival.
Swetank! 😀 Be Bettr, Stay Bettr! 😀
Oh Halloween 🙂 I will probably eat pumpkin pie (No more) … 🙂 Many smiles and hope you are having a nice week so far, Aquileana 😛
Thanks @Agustinayalad for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😀
I love how these stories are so complex yet deal with the ‘classic- in the true sense if the word – stories of love and revenge. The images as always are just gorgeous.
Hi A.K!
I am glad to know that you are enjoying these greek myths… Thanks a lot for dropping by and for your kind words here. Best wishes to you, always!, Aquileana 😀
Thanks @artyyah for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😀
Thanks @cindymars for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😛
Bonne journée et merci de ta visite…Bisous
Superbe Georges, merci beaucoup pour la visite et l’image.
Je t’ embrasse!, Aquileana 😀
What an intricate web of deceit and cheating. The Gods lived such a folly filled life. Have a great day.
Hi dear Lignum!,
Thanks a lot for dropping by and adding your thoughts here… An intricate web of deceit and cheating, indeed!. Perfectly worded.
Have a great day as well, Aquileana 😀
Jesienne pozdrowienia z Polski
Hi Marko,
Thanks for dropping by… Have a great day!
Best wishes, Aquileana 😀
I liked to read those myths in my childhood. It is a nice reminder.
Thank you very much for dropping by..I am pleased to know that this greek myth brought back memories to you.
Best wishes, Aquileana ;P
Even the gods/goddesses are imperfect. Once again, I’m reminded of a telenovela…of the heavens. 😉
Take my praises for your brilliant post for granted,my dear friend Aquileana !!!
Loved to read the complex love affairs even among the Olympians … and marvelled at the well-selected paintings you included !
I wish I could include my own Aphrodite statue who has been decorating my garden for years now.
Before signing off ,please allow me to write some excerpts from the Hymn of Orpheus to Aphrodite :
HEAV’NLY, illustrious, laughter-loving queen,
Sea-born, night-loving, of an awful mien;
Crafty, from whom necessity first came,
Producing, nightly, all-connecting dame:
‘Tis thine the world with harmony to join,
For all things spring from thee, O pow’r divine.
The triple Fates are rul’d by thy decree,
And all productions yield alike to thee:
Mother of Loves, whom banquetings delight;
Source of persuasion, secret, fav’ring queen,
Illustrious born, apparent and unseen:
Spousal, lupercal, and to men inclin’d,
Prolific, most-desir’d, life-giving., kind:
Great sceptre-bearer of the Gods.
Where married females praise thee ev’ry year,
And beauteous virgins in the chorus join,
Adonis pure to sing and thee divine;
Come, all-attractive to my pray’r inclin’d,
For thee, I call, with holy, reverent mind …
You have my love as always dear Aquileana,
Have a brilliant & creative day , Doda 🙂
Excellent comment dear Doda… I wonder how many Orphic Hymns they were… I mean to say to how many Greek Gods- Goddesses.
When I wrote this post ,I much enjoyed doing the reasearch on Aphrodite´s lovers and learning about the twists and turns of the stories. Pretty messy indeed… I am truly pleased to know that you enjoyed this post, my friend.
Sending you all my best wishes, always. Aquileana 😛
I have been trying and trying again and again to share your post on Twitter as I always do,but it is impossible ; I have no idea why this happens,I will give it a try later on.Thank you ,Doda 🙂
Thanks @DGMARYOGA for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😛
[…] « Greek Mythology: “Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Ares and her Other Lovers”.- […]
Thank you for stopping by to like and follow my humble blog as it was an opportunity to explore your blog! It has revived my interest in mythology!
Thank you as well for dropping by and for your thoughtful words here!.
Best wishes to you!, Aquileana 😛
Mi querida A.:
¡Caramba! Afrodita era de “amor fácil”. 😉 Me pareció sumamente ilustrativo y didáctico el “árbol genealógico” de los amores de esta diosa.
Una vez más, hay que tener cuidado con las venganzas y los enojos. Pobre destino del mensajero… ¿No se les ocurrió instituir la poligamia? 😛
Un gran abrazo de tu amiga V. 🙂
Hola V, Genial tenerte por estos pagos… Me alegro de que te haya gustado el post… De hecho te tuve presente porque me acordaba de que me una vez me preguntaste sobre los amantes de Afrodita y, en cierta forma, el post respectivo no contemplaba los ardides y detalles del affair entre la Diosa de la Belleza y Ares.
Muy cierto lo de la poligamia, eso hubiera ahorrado varios problemas, venganzas y quebrantos.
Un abrazo muy grande para vos, Aquileana 😀
This post has been reblogged!. Aquileana 😀
What an info and what valuable pictures. My my you worked so hard. Thank you dear.
Thanks a lot for your visist, Tanveer. I am pleased to know that you liked this post !…. All the best to you, Aquileana 😀
Thanks @CircoFootnotes for sharing this post at Twitter,
Aquileana 😛
What a pity my comment was left unanswered … Presumably,I should learn to comment laconically … All the very best, Doda 🙂
Dear Doda… Sorry for missing your comment… I remembered reading it but it seems I lost it among the comments of more recent posts.
Presumably, I should read more carefully!.
Best wishes!, Aquileana 😀
[…] nine months. After that time, the god had a terrible headache and ask the blacksmith god Hephaestus to split his head with an axe in order to relieve him from his pain. Then Athena, already as a […]
[…] Hera, Zeus sired Ares and Hephaestus (who would be both Aphrodite’s lovers) and Hebe, the goddess of […]
~ It’s my Aphrodite in our garden,outside my study ~
To Aquileana for her love for Greece with much love and respect
Outstanding, dear Doda…. May Aphrodite protect you and cover you with Beauty & Love, my friend…
Thank you very much! ⭐ Big Hugs, Aquileana 😀
Reblogged this on Pintowski's Blog.
Reading through your pieces I realize I’m reading a modern day soap opera. That, for the Greeks and Romans, these stories among other things were the modern day equivalent of a daytime drama. They followed the characters escapades over time. Who hooks up with who? Who is the real father of so and so? I’m not sure you ever saw the American TV show “Dallas” but back in the 80’s there was a famous episode called “Who Shot JR?” Totally cliffhanger and had everyone on their seats. That is how these myths feel to me, now. Like these wild stories with endless cliffhangers everyone could follow and talk about. Loved this.
This is certainly a great comment… You are right there is much of soap operas among these greek myths…. The twists and turns… Jealousy, Greed, Infidelity… Pride… And so on!… I have watched Dallas a few times but not that episode in particular… Even so, I used to watch Beverly Hills 90210 when I was a teenager and one can also identify certain greek dramatic elements over there, as well!…
Thanks for your clever insights, dear Noelle… It is great to read your words. Happy week ahead to you! Aquileana 😀
[…] he was a better hunter than she. In another version, Adonis was not killed by Artemis, but by Ares, as punishment for being with […]
[…] legitimate offspring of her union with Zeus are Ares (the god of war), Hebe (the goddess of youth), Eris (the goddess of discord) […]
[…] shield from Athena, gold, winged sandals from Hermes (the messenger of the Gods), a sword from Hephaestus and Hades´helm of […]
[…] Judgement of Paris was a contest between the three most beautiful goddesses of Olympus–Aphrodite, Hera and Athena–for the prize of a golden apple addressed to “the […]
Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
Thank you very much for reblogging, dear Paul… Sending love and best wishes. Aquileana ⭐
🙂
merci pour tout l’imformation
Merci à toi pour ta visite. Aquileana 😀
[…] Ares, the god of war, grew jealous because Aphrodite spent so much time with Adonis that she had forgotten about him. As a result, Ares turned into a gigantic wild boar and attacked Adonis. Adonis, having forgotten Aphrodite’s warning, attacked the boar but soon found himself being chased by it. […]
[…] was named after Paean, who was the physician of the gods who healed, among others, Hades’ and Ares’ […]
[…] Hephaestus (Roman equivalent: Vulcan) was the Greek god of fire, metal work, blacksmiths and craftsmen. […]
Reblogged this on lampmagician.
She sounds like some girl i know in real life lol, nice post 🙂
Haha! I know, right?… Thank you so much for dropping in… Oh, Can I ask you something: if you can copy here your Blog URL?. I have it in one of my email lists, but will have to look for it among many bloggers. I can not access to your blog from the link in your comment/avatar. Anyway, I´ll look for it in the lists. Sigh… All the best to you!. 😉
no worries and this just keeps happening to me! https://wholedotcom.wordpress.com/
all thebest to you as well 🙂
Have you tried changing your WordPress avatar?!. I guess that could help 😉 Thank you for providing me the link. It would have taken me ages to find it among the lists 😀 All the best to you.
i have done. the link appeared all last time. I will try check again. thank you and all the best to you as well 🙂
[…] or (Colchian Dragon) was the ever awake serpent that guarded the Golden Fleece in a grove sacred to Ares in Kolkhis. When the Argonauts came to aquire the Fleece, they had to get past it. There are two […]
[…] According to most versions, Hephaestus’s wife was Aphrodite, who was unfaithful to Hephaestus with a number of gods and mortals, including her brother Ares. […]
[…] Trojan War. In the ensuing Trojan War, Hera and Athena were implacable enemies of Troy while Aphrodite was loyal to Paris and the […]
[…] the Goddess of Wisdom and knowledge. Besides, she was the Goddess of War, the female counterpart of Ares. Athena’s moral and military superiority to Ares derived in part from the fact that she […]