#the erotes

[allmythologies]

greek mythology: hymenaios

hymenaios is a god of marriage ceremonies who inspires feasts and song. related to the god's name, a hymenaios is a genre of greek lyric poetry that was sung during the procession of the bride to the groom's house in which the god is addressed, in contrast to the epithalamium, which is sung at the nuptial threshold. he is one of the winged love gods, the erotes.

[royal-wren]

In honor of Pride, I'm going to list a few Hellenic deities to think of more actively during this time

Aphrodite: Historically known to be intersex and trans, especially under the name Aphroditos. Not to mention as a goddess of love, that means all kinds of love and expressions of it. Everyone in the LGBT+ umbrella can turn to her without worry.

Apollon: He is known for epithets like the Unshorn, and for literally wearing feminine clothing for the time.

Artemis: Known for embracing masculinity and more masculine traits like her interests, mannerisms, and appearance (attire). Also known to be aro/ace spec.

Athene: Most know her to lean more toward masculinity, but she's more an equal mix of both masculine and feminine (nonbinary by human terms). Also known to be aro/ace spec and wlw as well.

Dionysos: Like Apollon, is known for wearing feminine clothing for the time and occasionally a feminine appearance to match. Embracing the unconventional and what lies outside of society's standards and mentalities is his thing, and it shows with epithets like Androgynos.

Hekate: A goddess of the liminal (everything in between), boundaries, and transitions, of paths and crossroads (which are more than physical ones).

Hera: As a goddess of women, that includes every kind of woman no matter what, there is no room to try and exclude anyone from that. She's also a goddess of marriage and one to lean on for rights on that matter.

Hermes: A god of the liminal, the god of transitions, boundaries, paths, and roads, and a god of romantic unions, the god of fire - the literal and figurative sparks that ensue as a god of friction, a weigher of love like Aphrodite. Before the late Classical and Hellenistic periods was also known to be aro/ace spec as outside of cultic unions, a majority of his immortal (and deity) children are goddesses as well, and he has two nonbinary (one intersex) children, Palaistra and Hermaphroditos, and occasionally the father of Eros either by Aphrodite or Artemis (and no this is real, you're just not ready for this conversation on this information).

Leto: In worship, she has the cult epithet Phystiê (the Grafter) that relates to a myth of her helping Leukippe transition at the wishes of his mother to avoid death. With the grafter epithet, she has a festival in her honor, Ekdysia (Stripping (Festival)). One of her sacred animals is the Ichneumon (Egyptian Mongoose), which was known to be both male and female in an individual member of the species.

Palaistra: The goddess of wrestling and daughter of Hermes is nonbinary, being both genders at once and neither at the same time

The Erotes: It kind of goes without saying that they should be here for a month of love, identity, and acceptance.

The Kharites: As goddesses of joy, merriment, and festivity/celebration, it feels as essential to have them here as the Erotes are. During Pride, they will lift your spirits and cause you to cheer.

[starfacenix]

Sexual relationships with your gods are valid

I saw a post not too long ago speaking on intimate relationships with your gods and also the idea of “god spouses.” And while it’s fine to have your own opinion and express that I felt like it dismissed the relationship one may have with a sexual deity or even one that’s not primarily thought of to be sexual!

There are so many gods that help others feel comfortable enough to live freely in their bodies, masturbate, be with their loved ones and more. Why dismiss or undermine that because you believe you can’t have a more intimate relationship with a deity?

Gods are what they need to be for you. A friend, lover, partner, sibling, parent, best friend, teacher, mentor, what have you. The gods can absolutely touch you. Is it rarer than one may think? I personally don’t think so. And yes this does get into some harder conversations about psychosis and being wary of those symptoms. But I believe people know what they feel.

And who really cares if your god didn’t actually make you come. You felt connected to them in that moment, you did that for them, in one way or another. That’s valid. Don’t let others tell you differently or dismiss your experiences.

[superscrub323]

Another thought occurs to me, there aren't a lot of Ares going on trips to smite random mortals who insulted him (and on the rare occasion there are, it's because they involve his children getting killed and even then when Zeus, Athena, or Aphrodite are involved he fails and has to resort to turning them into birds to give them peace while punishing them for their 'hubris') which means either one of two things. Either Mythic and Ancient Greece feared Ares so much that the idea of showing the tiniest iota of hubris and/or disrespect towards him and his domain was considered thoughtlessly suicidal. Or Ares doesn't really have a divine ego to bruise and is content to let insults of mortals slide because he gets enough of slaughtering mortals in his day job he'd rather be nailing baddies and raising the Nightmare Twins and Erotes to be respectable gods.

[the-banks-of-lethe]

˚ʚ♡ Hypnos & the Erotes ♡ɞ˚

I'm sure you're all familar with Hypnos and the Erotes, respectively. But it's not as common to hear about them working together. Although, it is quite logical when you put some thought to it;  "Sleep and Love, after all, are activities that both have the bed in common." - Sleep and Death

Unfortunately, most of what we know about Hypnos' association with love and the Erotes comes from Nonnus.

"Nonnus (flourished 5th century ad, b. Panopolis, Egypt) was the most notable Greek epic poet of the Roman period. His chief work is the Dionysiaca, a hexameter poem in 48 books" - Britannica

Here are a few quotes from 'Nonnus, Dionysiaca' [theoi.com]

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 31. 103 ff : ". . . Then Hypnos as one obeying a mother started up, and swore to charm the eyes of unresting Zeus even until the third dawn should come; but Iris begged him to fasten Kronion (Cronion) with slumber for the course of one day only. There Hypnos remained, awaiting the happy season of marriage. Then goddess Iris returned flying at speed and hastened to deliver her welcome message to her queen."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 32. 95 ff : ". . . [and after their lovemaking] Hypnos (Sleep) the servant of the Erotes (Loves) had charmed the eyes of Zeus . . . Zeus slept delicately charmed among the flowers, holding his wife in his arms on that bed unseen."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 42. 336 ff : "He [Dionysos in love] sorrowfully prayed to Hypnos (Sleep) and Eros (Love) and Aphrodite of the Evening [the star Venus], all at once, to let him see the same vision [of his love] once more, longing for the deceptive phantom of an embrace."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 47. 345 ff : "[Ariadne laments her fate after being abandoned in her sleep by Theseus on Naxos :] ‘Give me again, Hypnos (Sleep), your empty boon, so pleasant; send me another delectable dream like that, so that I may know the sweet bed of love in a deceptive dream! Only linger upon my eyes, that I may know the unreal passion of married love in a dream!’"

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 48. 264 ff : "The maiden [the virgin Aura] awoke . . . [and] bold Hypnos (Sleep) she reproached more than all and threatening the Oneiros (Dream) [i.e. for sending her a prophetic dream in which she loses her virginity to Dionysos]."

! CW : rape ! Nonnus, Dionysiaca 48. 621 ff : "Iobakkhos (Iobacchus) [Dionysos] seeing her [Aura asleep] on the bare earth, plucking the Lethaean (Forgetful) feather of bridal Hypnos (Sleep), he crept up noiseless, unshod, on tiptoe, and approached Aura where she lay without voice or hearing. With gentle hand he put away the girl's neat quiver and hid the bow in a hole in the rock, that she might not shake off Hypnos' (Sleep's) wing and shoot him . . . On the ground that hapless girl heavy with wine, unmoving, was wedded to Dionysos; Hypnos (Sleep) embraced the body of Aura with overshadowing wings, and he was marshal of the wedding for Bakkhos (Bacchus), for he also had experience of love, he is yokefellow of Selene (the Moon), he is companion of the Erotes (Loves) in nightly caresses."

And some non-Nonnus ones

Greek Lyric V Anonymous, Fragment 929g (Rainer papyrus) (trans. Campbell) : "Soft-eyed Hypnos (Sleep) came, embracing all his limbs, as a mother on seeing her dear son after a long absence folds him with her wings to her loving breast."

Licymnius, Fragment 771 (from Athenaeus, Scholars at Dinner) (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric V) (Greek lyric C4th B.C.) : "[Endymion was a handsome youth loved by the moon-goddess Selene. He was granted immortality in a state of eternal slumber :] Likymnios of Khios (Licymnius of Chios) says the Hypnos (Sleep) loves Endymion and does not close they eyes of his beloved boy even while he is asleep, but lulls him to rest with eyes wide open so that he may without interruption enjoy the pleasure of gazing at them. His words are ‘And Hypnos (Sleep), rejoicing in the rays of his eyes, would lull the boy to rest with eyes wide open.’"

^^ I understand that this one can simply be interpreted as one of his 'love stories' as most of the Theoi have them. However I thought it nice that it was said that He loved Endymion so much that He (Sleep) stayed with him forever; being forever in slumber.

Cult images depicting Him with the Mousai (Muses) and Aphrodite

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 31. 3 : "Not far from the Mousai's (Muses') hall [at Troizenos (Troezen) in Argolis] is an old altar, which also, according to report, was dedicated by Ardalos. Upon it they sacrifice to the Mousai and to Hypnos (Sleep), saying that Hypnos is the god that is dearest to the Mousai."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 31. 5 : "[At Troizenos (Troezen) in Argolis there is] an ancient altar . . . they sacrifice on it to Hypnos (Sleep) and the Mousai (Muses); who they say are particular friends."

Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 18. 1 : "[Beside the temple of Athena of the Bronze House in Sparta :] Near the statues of Pausanias is an image of Aphrodite Ambologera (Postponer of Old Age), which was set up in accordance with an oracle; there are also images of Hypnos (Sleep) and of Thanatos (Death). They think them brothers, in accordance with the verses in the Iliad."

Little other bits!

Hypnos is married to Pasithea, one of the Charites, which slightly solidifies his association with 'love-like', good feelings; as the Charites presided over "grace, beauty, adornment, joy, mirth, festivity, dance and song."

His role in the myth of Endymion in which, depending on the version, was in love with Endymion himself or acted as a 'wing-man' for Selene in a way. <- linked a previous post of mine about the variations of the myth!

And yes, at the end there I did include his (more well-known) affiliation with the Mousai; I did this because, although not romantic (with exception for Erato), the Mousai can represent to some extent the love we feel for ourselves, for friends, the passion of a new hobby, the love of happiness, and really just a love for life. Since the Greeks didn't view love as a catch-all-term and had specific names for each type of love, I though it was fitting to also include his beloved friends, the Mousai.

Although we have little information on Hypnos' depiction as an Erote / companion to the Erotes. We can make the connection that the role of sleep and the role of love have much in common.

The bedroom, a holy place for sleep and love. Where intimacy and dreams mingle together. Dreaming about your lover, or of a friend (philia). Waking up next to someone, their arms around you as you remember the previous night (doesn't have to be sex, you could have just embraced each other in your sleep). Winding down after a long day by laying down and reading in bed, your partner joining you, just laying in silence. The giggles of a sleepover. The comfort of your pet snuggling up next to you. The solace you feel when your head hits the pillow, loving yourself and treating you to an early sleep. Anything!

Do I personally regard Hypnos as a love god? Yes and no. My perspective lies within the wording of it; and since this is purely my opinion, I will label this next part as !UPG! Okay, so. I think it would be wrong to say that Hypnos is a 'love god' or a 'god of love', because he is not, he's the god and daimon of sleep; with dreams, altered consciousness, and relaxation / wellbeings being under this domain as well - notice, love is not listed. However, would I ever reach out to Lord Hypnos concerning love? Personally, yes. I don't believe love to ultimately fall under his domains, but he can assist. I sometimes call him an 'assistant to Aphrodite' [or an 'assistant to love'], because that is how I personally view his role regarding love, assisting. To put it into a lil metaphor; Think of Aphrodite as a full-time, dedicated, expert-in-the-field person for Love - and Hypnos as a Casual-worker, called in when needed, knows how to work in the department but doesn't specialise there. Does that make sense? It does to me. Either way, this paragraph was just my personal view on it, if yours doesn't match mine that is totally fine. This aspect of Hypnos is nuanced and gives a huge allowance for UPG.

Anyway, let me know if I missed anything or you'd like to share your own interpretation of Hypnos' love aspect! I'd love to hear them! [heh]

May Hypnos bless you, and sweet dreams ♡

-> heart divider made by @/strangergraphics -> sleep [zzzz] divider made by @/sisterlucifergraphics

[beautyofaphrodite]

Ἡδυλογος

Hedylogos, God of Sweet-talk and Flattery

(All images found on Pinterest)

[diana-thyme]

Greek Gods 101: The Erotes

The Erotes are a group of gods of love. Excluding the universal offerings, some common offerings include:

Bows and Arrows

Hearts

Pink or Red Items

Seashells

Depictions of Wings

Poetry

Love Letters

Darts

Flowers and Bouquets

Torches and Depictions of Torches

Garlands

For devotional acts, some activities that can be done for them include:

Being in a Relationship

Building Relationships (Familial, Romantic, Friendly, Etc.)

Writing Poetry

Writing Letters to People

Flirting

Complimenting Others

Gifting Things to Others

Attending or Participating in a Wedding

They are not celebrated in any Athenian holidays.

[hisfluer]

THE EROTES, winged gods of love. — HERMAPRODITUS, god of androgyny. 

[chrispywhispy]

The Erotes (pt. 2)

HIMEROS - God of Sexual Desire and Unrequited Love

“Hime” for short. He is always aroused and seen with at least two or three partners a day. He maintains order for all kinds of sexual love and ignites them.

ANTEROS - God of Requited Love

He is the guardian and protector of the Erotes. Overprotective of his siblings (Himeros, specifically,) but also a gentle giant. He is the avenger and punisher of those who scorn love.

Aphrodite was once arranged to marry and have kids with Ares for the sake of “Love.” 

Her children had to be made in order to oversee the many aspects of love, to which Aphrodite agreed and fell into strong attraction with the war god. She birthed the first set of twins, kids with a red-ish complexion much like hers, a symbol of their abundant love. Aphrodite then birthed yet more children after the other two, a disposition from pink to magenta, raising them alone since Ares was constantly fighting battles too cruel for her. 

(pt. 1 here!)

[rubynrut]

could you draw Pothos, god of longing? Son of Aphrodite and brother of Eros

Here's something quick maybe i can draw tge other erotes in the future

[allmythologies]

greek mythology: himeros

himeros is the god of sexual desire and one of the erotes, the winged gods of love. when aphrodite was born from the sea-foam's she was greeted by the twin loves eros and himeros. some say aphrodite was born pregnant with the twins and birthed them as soon as she was born. the pair remained her constant companions acting as agents of her divine power.

[go-rocksquadsfan]

Atlantius should get more recognition outside of that Ovid's myth like... he's the kid of HERMES and APHRODITE. Can you imagine the personality ?? And he hangs out with Eros... He's a menace !!!

[friaxza]

the erotes of aphrodite—the best boyband in greek mythology

[beautyofaphrodite]

Πόθος

Pothos, God of Passion

(Requested- All images found on Pinterest)

[thetis-sea-nymph]

This is giving the exact same energy as that anonymous ancient dude who is said to have ejaculated on the statue of Aphrodite of Knidos

Meanwhile, in Italy...

"Former culture undersecretary Vittorio Sgarbi defends the girl who climbed Giambologna's Bacchus statue in Florence miming a sexual act. 'It is a transfiguration: when art is truer than life. An amorous exaltation. No real man can compete with Cellini's Perseus. A drunk girl performs a critical act, not an erotic one.'"

[chrispywhispy]

The Erotes (pt. 5)

Last but not the least,

POTHOS - God of Yearning and Sympathy

The youngest who is always sad, weeping, and seen with a bottle of wine. Nobody quite knows them or simply forgets they are even there in the first place. Sympathy is what makes people feel sorry for them.

Aphrodite’s new love had replenished, lit aflame with a partner of her gender.  Although she had regrets, she raised her many sons together with her new wife, beginning another chapter.

…and that explains the changing of colors within the Erotes Family. Basically Aphrodite and Ares’s love for each other fell out and the children they made ran outta ink. Which also concludes the family lore of each member!

thanks for listening to my lore dumping I’d love to see them quarrel soon lmfao

(pt. 4 here!)