Aphrodite

Lore & Background

The warlike depiction of Aphrodite belongs to her very earliest acolytes and cults in Cyprus and Cythera, where there was a strong eastern influence during the Orientalizing Period. This depiction traces Aphrodite's descent from older Middle Eastern goddesses such as the Sumerian Inanna, Mesopotamian Ishtar, and Phoenician Astarte. In Cyprus, Aphrodite was also referred to by the epithet "Aphrodite Encheios" (Aphrodite with a spear), and it has been suggested that the cult was brought from Cyprus to Sparta. She was also known by this name on the Areopagus and at Corinth. Pausanias recorded that three cult statues at Kythira, Sparta, and Corinth depicted Aphrodite as holding weapons, and archaeological evidence points to this portrayal also occurring in Argos. In Sparta, he described two temples dedicated to Aphrodite Areia. Pausanias' claim that "Aphrodite Areia" was simply a female version of Ares has some support in the contemporary epigraphy.

In Their Own Story

Various authors make reference to Sparta worshipping an armoured Aphrodite, such as Plutarch, Nonnos, and Quintilian. A related Spartan epithet, "Armed Aphrodite" (Ἀφροδίτη Ἐνόπλιος), was associated with an aetiological myth recorded by Lactantius. He stated that once the Spartan army was away from the city attacking Messene, part of the Messene army launched a counterattack against Sparta that was thwarted by the Spartan women who armed themselves and defended the city. The Spartan army, realizing their city was under siege, returned and assumed that the women were the enemy army until they stripped off their armour to reveal their identities. It is likely that this myth was used to explain the origin of an unknown Spartan festival that functioned similarly to the Argive festival of Hybristica, where women took over the roles of men. In Argos, Aphrodite Areia appears to be related to Nikephoros ("victory bearer") and in a nearby city of Manteneia, there was a temple devoted to both Aphrodite and Ares.

Reader's Guide

The association with warfare contradicts Aphrodite's more popularly known role as the goddess of desire, fertility, and beauty. In the Iliad, Aphrodite is portrayed as incompetent in battle, being wounded in the wrist by Diomedes under the guidance of Athena, and she is reminded of her role as a love goddess rather than a war goddess like Athena by Zeus. It is possible, however, that this representation was deliberate to assert the Ionian interpretation of Aphrodite, which did not portray the goddess with warlike aspects, as the "correct" version. There were cults dedicated to the warlike aspect of Aphrodite in Kythira, Cyprus, Argos, Taras and most prominently in Sparta.

Did You Know?

• Aphrodite Areia was depicted in full armor like the war god Ares, with cult statues in Kythira, Sparta, and Corinth showing her holding weapons.
• The epithet "Areia" means "warlike" and was also applied to Athena, Zeus, and possibly Hermes.
• In Cyprus, Aphrodite was called "Aphrodite Encheios" (Aphrodite with a spear), and the cult may have been brought from Cyprus to Sparta.
• A Spartan myth recorded by Lactantius tells of Spartan women arming themselves to defend the city from a Messene attack, explaining the origin of the "Armed Aphrodite" epithet.
• In the Iliad, Aphrodite is wounded in the wrist by Diomedes under Athena's guidance, and Zeus reminds her she is a love goddess, not a war goddess.