Aphrodite, in Greek mythology, the goddess of love and marriage. Homer describes her as the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Other authorities state that she sprang from the foam of the sea. The Zephyrs wafted her to the shore of the Isle of Cyprus. Here the Seasons received her, dressed her as suited her beauty, and led her to Olympus. The gods were charmed with the fair goddess, and each one demanded her for a wife. Zeus bestowed her upon Vulcan. She became the mother of Eros or Cupid. Aphrodite was also called Cytherea, because of her worship on the island of Cythera. Aphrodite, or Venus, as the Romans called her, possessed a girdle called the Cestus, which had the power of inspiring love. She was also able to grant beauty and all physical charms to her votaries. The rose, myrtle, poppy, and apple were sacred to Aphrodite, and among animals the dove, swallow, swan, ram, hare, and tortoise.
