Eros, the Greek deity of love, embodies passionate desire in all its complexities. He strikes unexpectedly, inducing a whirlwind of emotions that confound and overwhelm those he targets. Hesiod’s portrayal of Eros in “Theogony” characterizes him as a force that “loosens the limbs and weakens the mind.”
In ancient Greek art, Eros is frequently depicted as a youthful, carefree figure adorned with floral crowns, particularly roses, symbolically linked to him. His associations are notably prominent through his relationship with Psyche, a theme often explored in Greek and Roman sculptures.
Eros’ Parentage and Origins
Hesiod names Eros among the primordial gods alongside Chaos and Gaia, suggesting a role in the Creation. Contrarily, Orphic traditions present him as a hermaphroditic child emerging from an egg that Time, represented by the Titan Chronos, placed in Chaos’s womb. The comic playwright Aristophanes offers a similar myth, attributing Eros’s birth to a silver egg laid by Nyx (Night) and Aither (Wind). Other mothers claimed by various myths include Eilithyia, Penia, and Iris.
Eros is occasionally portrayed as playful but can also exhibit a ruthless side, using surprise to disarm his victims. More commonly, he is recognized as an assistant to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, sometimes depicted as their child fathered by Ares, the god of war. His brothers include Deimos (Fear), Phobos (Panic), and Harmonia (Harmony). In certain accounts, Eros has a shadowy brother named Anteros, who avenges unreciprocated love.
Eros’ Symbolism
Eros embodies themes of fertility, desire, and sexual affection, regarded with a degree of cunning as he elicits often uncontrollable passions. His playful yet devastating nature explains his absence from the pantheon of the twelve Olympian gods, despite his significant role as a protector of same-sex love.
Eros’ Arrows and Their Power
Eros wielded arrows that could be aimed haphazardly, causing affection to bloom in even the most unsuspecting targets—no one was immune to his influence. A well-known tale illustrates this when Eros made Apollo, who had scorned the god’s archery skills, fall in love with the nymph Daphne. In another story, Eros compelled Medea to love the hero Jason, renowned for obtaining the Golden Fleece. Remarkably, Eros himself fell in love with Psyche, leading to their marriage despite Aphrodite’s objections.
Plato, the eminent philosopher, posited that love is both an ancient and powerful god, essential for instilling virtue and happiness in humanity. His discussions in texts like “Symposium” and “Phaedrus” emphasize the divine nature of love, its pivotal relationship with goodness, and the transformative effect it has on individuals.
When examining the ways love influences a person, Plato likens the experience to an echo or breeze returning to its source, capturing how beauty awakens love in the observer, who often does not comprehend the force that compels him toward connection. He compared this love to a mirror reflecting true desire, with the loved one triggering both yearning and relief.
Finally, Plato humorously remarks on Eros’ physicality, suggesting that mortals praise him as a powerful winged god, while the divine choosers refer to him disparagingly as ‘Shove’ due to the relentless nature of his pursuits.
Eros in Ancient Artistic Expressions
Representations of Eros in Greek art from the 6th century BCE typically show him as an adolescent with wings, often a laurel wreath in his grasp. He was frequently depicted holding various items such as a lyre, a hare, or a whip, particularly in romantic pursuits. Although references to Eros wielding a bow emerged earlier in literature, his bow became a consistent symbol in art by the 4th century BCE. In pottery, Eros graces depictions of weddings and romantic encounters, often lending an ethereal presence to tales involving figures like Paris and Helen. He also appears in martial contexts, signifying love entwined with valor, like in the offerings made by the Sacred Band of Thebes.
Philosophical Interpretations of Eros
Eros remains a central figure in the musings of Epicureans, Parmenides, and especially Plato, who fervently discussed the implications and outcomes of love in his writings. His sentiments reflect Eros as a profound driving force enabling moral growth and blissful existence. He elaborately describes the interplay between love and beauty, offering insight into how the experience of love operates internally.
In summary, Eros encapsulates the various aspects of love’s influence throughout mythology, art, and philosophy, continually invoking a labyrinth of emotions that shape human experiences.
