Desire's Celestial Deity: Eros, the Winger
Eros, known as Cupid in Roman mythology, is a fascinating figure in ancient Greek mythology. He is not just the god of fertility, but also the protector of male homosexual love and the force that brings order to the universe through love and desire.
Eros, portrayed as a winged male rather than a faceless primal force, is the personification of human lust and desire. He is the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and the Olympian god of war, Ares, according to later tales. In earlier accounts, Eros is described as the son of Nyx and Erebus, primordial deities who gave rise to various entities.
Eros is a mischievous god, often meddling in the love lives of others at Aphrodite's request. His arrows, imbued with the power to make both gods and mortals fall in love, could drive its victim mad with lust. In the tale of Jason and the Golden Fleece, Eros uses one of his arrows to make Medea fall in love with Jason.
The power of Eros' arrows was so potent that it could even overcome the senses of the strongest gods. In the myth of Apollo and Daphne, Eros' power was so strong that it caused Apollo to fall deeply in love with Daphne, leading to the well-known story of their tragic love.
One of the oldest love stories in the ancient Greco-Roman world is the tale of Eros and his love interest, Psyche. Psyche was the youngest and most beautiful of three children. She was feared by mortal men because of her beauty and they presumed she was a child of Aphrodite.
Eros, however, fell in love with Psyche, but their love was not without challenges. Eros hid his identity from Psyche, causing her much distress. It was only when Psyche completed a series of seemingly impossible tasks that Eros revealed his true identity and they were finally united.
Eros is not alone in the pantheon of love gods in ancient Greek mythology. He is often described as being with three other winged love gods, Anteros, Pothos, and Himeros. These three love gods are said to be the children of Aphrodite and Eros' siblings.
In later accounts, Eros is known as the god of love, sexual desire, and fertility. His influence on the ancient Greco-Roman world is vast, shaping stories, art, and culture for centuries. Eros, the winged Greek god of love, remains an intriguing and enduring figure in mythology.
