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ahermin — Aphrodite's Birth

Published: 2008-09-01 17:25:06 +0000 UTC; Views: 7686; Favourites: 68; Downloads: 107
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Description Aphrodite is the only character in Greek mythology not to have a mother or father. She is said to have indirectly been born of Oranos, however. She was born during the primal murder, when Cronus murdered his father, Oranos, and threw his body into the sea. From the foam rose a beautiful maiden standing naked and dripping on a seashell. Wherever she stepped, flowers bloomed and beach sand turned to green grass. She went to Mount Olympus, and Hera immediately decided that Aphrodite should marry. So Zeus gathered all the gods and asked that they make their suit, and that Aphrodite would choose her own husband. Now, Hepheastus had been promised by Hera to have Aphrodite as his bride if he came back to Olympus. So Hera told him exactly what to say when it was his turn to make his suit.

Now all the gods offered amazing gifts. Poseidon offered grottos, riddles, and fine undersea treasures. He also pointed out that since she was born of the sea, that she belonged to him. Hermes offered to make her queen of the crossroads where all must come, so she would know every secret in the world. All the other gods made their suits in turn. Finally, it was Hepheastus' turn. "I would make a good husband for a girl like you. I work late." Aphrodite chose Hephaestaus.
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Comments: 12

HPNotHarryPotter [2010-11-09 16:02:00 +0000 UTC]

I just love this piece, both for its simplicity, great photography, modern edge as well as a traditional styled atmosphere.

About the myth:
Maybe this is a different version, but the one I know and I think is usually used by most Greek-myth annalists is rather different. So I apologize but as I grew on Greek myth, I feel obliged to rant what I know:
Like the humorous in-joke ending, however... I feel that the myth as you told it is rather... restrained, for younger audience(?).
According to my (I wish!) version she was born indirectly of Uranus, however, not during his murder but probably seconds earlier during his castration, when Cronus threw his father's testicles into the sea (Greek myth is NOT for kids and the weak of heart) and she was born in the sea out of them, a possible reason she is the goddess of love and lust. Hera didn't decide Aphrodite should marry, rather Aphrodite was so beautiful, and to prevent argument and war over her between the gods, Zeus married her off to Hephaestus, the ugly, so there will be no competition(in another version or another reason, Aphrodite was given to Hephaestus so he'll free Hera from the prison he had built her).
Again, I apologize and love this piece.

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getcarter [2010-04-21 08:46:18 +0000 UTC]

exellent

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NeJI483 [2009-02-20 02:11:31 +0000 UTC]

hahah, i enjoyed hepheastus' comment.
i also like greek mythoology because the gods show actual human emotions in a true form. a lot of jealousy, anger, and unfaithfulness make a good read. =]

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freyajuvelle [2009-01-26 03:07:42 +0000 UTC]

Lovely shot. I loved the mythology, by the way.

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Theanoula [2008-09-10 12:56:51 +0000 UTC]

Good knowledge of our mythology and nice shot/s..

Well done

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muffla [2008-09-07 16:00:18 +0000 UTC]

Haha. Nice. Wow, the girl is barely born and makes it to Olympus and gets married quite fast. I heard that she was born from the liquids of Oranos's castration when he was tossed into the sea. That's kinda gross.

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tildesk [2008-09-06 21:48:53 +0000 UTC]

it is ALSO said that she was born out of Zeus' leg.

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Korovkin [2008-09-03 08:30:54 +0000 UTC]

HDR - ?

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pireplies [2008-09-02 01:54:04 +0000 UTC]

nice

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butterflyhaven [2008-09-02 00:39:43 +0000 UTC]

Mythology is always better when you aren't learning it in class and being tested on it lol. That is a pretty neat story! I really like the photo too!

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JAHarrell [2008-09-01 19:43:40 +0000 UTC]

Indeed!!

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muffled [2008-09-01 17:33:54 +0000 UTC]

I love that myth.

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