She abandoned Aeneas, her son, for Ares, and Iris took him to Olympus as part of her plan for him to join Ares. The goddess of love, who excited the hearts and minds of gods and men alike, was widely regarded as the goddess of love.ĭuring the Trojan War, Aphrodite sided with the Trojans and saved Paris from Menelaus’ assault. Her ancestors called her a daughter of Uranus and Hemera at first, but later she was called a daughter of Kronos and Euonyme. Aphrodite, according to Hesiod, represented the generative powers of nature and the mother of all living things. Her traits included a dove, an apple, a scallop shell, and a mirror. Many depictions of her depicted her in a winged godling Eros (Love). Aphrodite, the Olympian goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation, reigned over the heavens and earth for many years. Rose, myrtle, apple, dove, and goose, which are all considered sacred plants and animals, are among her many sacred plants and animals.Īphrodite was the goddess of love for the Greek people. She was also known as an apple and myrtle wreath, cockle shell, eagle, godling Eros, mirror, and cockle shell.