Eros

(Erotic Love) Greek God of love and fertility, called Cupid by the Romans. In ancient times, Eros was a force to be feared. He represented the havoc and misery that could be brought about by love and desire. In later times, Eros was depicted as an overweight baby, winged, and carrying a bow and a quiver of arrows, which he would shoot off randomly. The parentage of Eros is confused and obscure. He is often thought of as the son of the goddess of love, Aphrodite. His father may have been the great god Zeus; the god of war, Ares; or the god of fertility, Hermes. Older traditions say that he is the son of Gaia, and therefore almost as old as the Earth. Though he appeared in many legends, Eros was never considered important enough to be set among the 12 great Olympian Gods. Nevertheless he is depicted as the constant companion of Aphrodite. The most famous tale about Eros is Eros (or Cupid) and Psyche. Eros and Psyche Eros was a Greek god of love, perhaps the son of Aphrodite, goddess of love. Psyche was a mortal princess. She was so beautiful that Aphrodite, in a jealous rage, ordered Eros to punish the maiden. Eros fell in love with Psyche and carried her off to a magnificent palace and married her. He did not reveal his identity to her and commanded her never to try to see his face. Psyche fell in love with the man she could not see and vowed never to look at him. Eventually, Psyche's sisters persuaded her to break her vow, and as Eros lay asleep next to her, Psyche lit a lamp and beheld her husband's beautiful face. Eros and all the beautiful surroundings immediately disappeared. From then on, an angry Aphrodite pursued and tormented the maiden. She survived terrible ordeals, helped by a mysterious force, Eros. Finally Eros pleaded with Zeus to put an end to her suffering. Zeus consented and conferred immortality on Psyche. The wedding of Psyche and Eros was celebrated on Olympus, and Aphrodite, it is said, joined in the festivities.