Greek Goddess of Love, Beauty & Eternal Youth
- Nov 10, 2020 Hermes – The Greek God of Gambling. If you are familiar with the Greek mythology, you would know that Hermes is most famous for being the Gods’ messenger, a “divine trickster” and the guide to the Underworld, among other things. His name, however, also had a very special meaning to the ancient gamblers.
- Entertainment in the ancient Greek times was mostly perceived as religious festivals, symposiums, theatre and music. Dionysus, the god of wine and theatre is the most prominent candidate.
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Aphrodite is the Goddess of Love and Beauty and according to Hesiod’s Theogony, she was born from the foam in the waters of Paphos, on the island of Cyprus. She supposedly arose from the foam when the Titan Cronus slew his father Uranus and threw his genitals into the sea.
However, according to Homer, in Iliad, Aphrodite may instead be the daughter of Zeus and Dione. As with so many Greek deities, there are many stories about the origins of the gods.
Greek God Of Fire
Many gods believed that her beauty was such that their rivalry over her would spark a war of the gods. Because of this, Zeus married Aphrodite to Hephaestus – he wasn’t seen as a threat because of his ugliness and deformity.
God Of Gambling Greek God
Despite this marriage to Hephaestus, Aphrodite had many lovers. Her lovers include both gods and men – including the god Ares and the mortal Anchises. She also played a role in the story of Eros and Psyche in which admirers of Psyche neglected to worship Venus (Aphrodite) and instead worshipped her. For this, Aphrodite enlisted Eros (Cupid) to exact her revenge but the god of love instead falls in love with the girl.
Later, Aphrodite was both Adonis’s lover and his surrogate mother. This led to a feud with Persephone in which Zeus decreed Adonis should spend half of the year with Aphrodite and half of the year with Persephone.
Facts about Aphrodite
- Aphrodite was the goddess of fertility, love, and beauty.
- Two different stories explain the birth of Aphrodite. The first is simple: She was the child of Zeus and Dione.
- According to the second story, however, Aphrodite rose from the foam of the sea.
- Aphrodite was married to Hephaestus, but Aphrodite did not enter into this union of her own volition.
- She and Ares conceived Harmonia, who eventually married Herodotus.
- She was the mother of Hermaphroditus by Hermes.
- Aphrodite and her son Eros (Cupid) teamed up to cause Zeus to fall in love with a human named Europa.
- Aphrodite loved Adonis. She saw him when he was born and determined then that he should be hers. She assigned Persephone to his care, but Persephone fell in love with Adonis also and would not give him back. Finally, Zeus had to mediate. He judged that Adonis should spend half the year with each.
- Aphrodite used a swan-drawn car to glide easily through the air.
- Although Aphrodite and Hera were not friends, Hera went to the Goddess of Love for help as she endeavored to assist the heroes in their Quest of the Golden Fleece.
- Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena were the top three contenders for a gold apple marked “For the Fairest.” They asked Zeus to judge the contest, but he refused. Paris, son of the King of Troy, judged the contest instead. Each of the three goddesses promised him something in return; he chose Aphrodite as the winner of the apple. This story of the Judgment of Paris was considered to be the real reason behind the Trojan War.
- During the Trojan War, Aphrodite fought on the side of Paris.
- Aphrodite rescued Paris from Menelaus by enveloping him in a cloud and taking him back to Troy.
- Aphrodite owned a girdle that contained her enchantments; Hera borrowed it once to seduce Zeus in order to distract him from the Trojan War.
- Aphrodite gave Harmonia a necklace that brought disaster to a later generation.
- Prostitutes considered the Goddess of Love their patron.
- Aphrodite had a few mortal lovers. One of the most notable was the Trojan shepherd Anchises. The two of them conceived Aeneas.
- Corinth was the center of Aphrodite’s worship.
- Early Greek art depicted the goddess as nude.
- She was the model for the famous sculpture Venus de Milo.
- Aphrodite and Cupid initiated the love between Jason (hero of the Quest of the Golden Fleece) and the daughter of the Colchian King.
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God of travel and thieves, Hermes is known for being one of the most clever and mischievous children of Zeus, and his mischief began at an early age. However, in addition to being the god of travel and thieves, what else were Hermes powers, and was his mischief celebrated in Olympus?
God of Thievery
While he was still a baby, Hermes stole Apollo’s herd of cattle and reversed their hooves to make it difficult for Apollo to track. Hermes became the god of thievery as he stole Apollo’s herd of cattle in return for giving Apollo his lyre.
As he grew into an adult, Hermes stole Poseidon’s trident, Artemis’s arrows, and Aphrodite’s belt. When Zeus needed to steal something, he would send Hermes to do the job.
God of Travel
Hermes helped many heroes in Greek mythology during their travels. Hermes gifted Perseus a pair of shoes that would come to be known as Talaria. These shoes are winged sandals that would help Perseus escape the cave of Medusa after she was beheaded.
During Odysseus’s 10-year journey home, Hermes helped Odysseus overcome two dangerous obstacles. The first obstacle that Hermes helped Odysseus overcome was gifting him a magical herb to protect him from Circe’s deliriums. Odysseus was able to overcome another obstacle with the help of Hermes. Hermes convinced Calypso to let Odysseus off her island, which helped Odysseus continue to journey home.
Hermes is depicted with a staff, hat, and winged sandals. As the god of travel, Hermes was responsible for guiding the souls of the dead into the underworld.
God of Messages, Sleep, and Speed
Hermes was the personal messenger among the gods. As he was also the god of travel, Hermes carried a staff. This staff was magical and could put mortals to sleep in order to deliver messages. Mortals who were sleeping would receive messages in their dreams, which made it easier for messages to be received to the recipient.
Hermes was the god of speed, as he had winged sandals that allowed him to fly. His ability to travel quickly and deliver messages made Hermes the messenger of the gods.
God of Gambling
It is believed that Hermes was the god of gambling as he could outwit other gods or humankind through his trickery. If man prayed to Hermes before participating in a gamble, Hermes would offer his assistance.
God of Invention
Hermes can be attributed to inventing the dice, which makes him beloved among gamblers, as well as being the inventor of musical instruments.
Hermes invented the lyre, which is a musical instrument made from a tortoise shell and strings. Hermes traded his lyre in order to keep the herd of cattle he had stolen from his half-brother, Apollo.
Hermes can also be accredited for inventing the Greek alphabet. Hermes would use the wedge formation of cranes as inspiration to draw the letters.
It is also told that Hermes invented sticks fire. Homer describes that Hermes needed to kindle a fire in order to make a sacrifice to the gods. To build a fire, Hermes needed sticks. Hermes invented sticks and placed them in a trench where they caught fire.
The Children of Hermes
- Pan – god of the wild and the flocks.
- Hermaphroditus – born a boy, Hermaphroditus was loved by the female Salmacis, and she prayed the gods would unify them forever. Her prayer was answered as she was joined to Hermaphroditus by becoming one asexual form.
- Abderus – devoured by mares during the eighth labor of Hercules, Abderus was buried by Hercules and establishes the city of Abdera in his honor.
- Autolycus – a successful robber who could transform himself and his goods; a true descendent of his thieving and mischievous father, Hermes.
- Eurodos – a commander to Achilles in the Trojan War.
- Angelia – a lesser-known goddess of messages and proclamations.
Hermes Contribution to Greek Heroes
Hermes played a vital role in the triumphant stories of both Odysseus and Perseus.
Hermes Delivers Messages in The Odyssey
In The Odyssey, Hermes delivers two separate messages during Odysseus’s journey in order to safely deliver him home. The first message is from Hermes to Odysseus. Hermes tells Odysseus that he can protect himself from the Circe’s ability to turn him into an animal if he chews a magical herb. Odysseus follows the advice of Hermes and does not fall victim to being turned into an animal by Circe.
The second message from Hermes during Odysseus’s voyage home is a message to Calypso. Hermes tells Calypso that Zeus has ordered her to free Odysseus from her island so that he can continue his journey home.
Hermes Helps Perseus
As Perseus was ordered by Polydectes to retrieve the head of Medusa, Hermes gave Perseus his pair of winged sandals. These winged sandals helped Perseus escape from Medusa’s cave once he had beheaded her. This kept Perseus alive, as it prevented Medusa’s sisters from catching up with Perseus and killing him.
Hermes as a Whole
Hermes was a jovial trickster who was beloved and useful among the gods. He was known for his many powers which included being the god of travel, gambling, messaging, invention, sleep, speed, and thievery. His array of powers made Hermes a contribution among the gods. Hermes makes an appearance in the myths of two most popular Greek heroes; Perseus and Odysseus.
Hermes appearance was portrayed through his use of a large staff, his winged shoes, and his large, straw-brimmed hat.