Eros, the Greek god of love and desire, ignites passion in gods and mortals alike. He wields immense power through his arrows, which stir uncontrollable longing in the hearts of those they strike. Though often imagined as a playful child, Eros embodies one of the most formidable forces in the cosmos: erotic attraction, emotional connection, and the creative drive that sustains life itself.
Over time, poets and philosophers reimagined Eros. Early myths cast him as a primordial deity born from Chaos, older than the gods themselves. Later traditions, particularly in Classical and Hellenistic Greece, depicted him as the son of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, and Ares, the god of war: a symbolic union of passion and conflict.
Symbolism
Eros symbolizes the irrational and irresistible nature of love. Artists usually show him with wings, a bow, and a quiver of arrows. Gold arrows ignite passion, while leaden ones cause aversion—a duality that mirrors the pleasure and pain of love. His blindfolded depictions reflect the belief that love sees no reason or boundaries.
He often appears alongside his Roman counterpart, Cupid, who inherited much of his symbolism in later Western art.
Appearances in Myths
- Birth from Chaos (Orphic tradition): In some of the oldest Greek cosmologies, Eros emerges after Chaos and Gaia. As the force that draws beings together, he initiates the cosmos itself.
- The Loves of the Gods: Eros frequently appears in myths where divine or mortal characters fall in love, often because of his intervention. His arrows cause even mighty Zeus to fall for mortal women and goddesses alike.
- Eros and Psyche: This myth, preserved in Apuleius’s Metamorphoses (2nd century CE), tells the story of Eros’s love for the mortal Psyche. After many trials—including betrayal, loss, and redemption—the lovers reunite, and the gods grant Psyche immortality. This tale remains one of the most enduring love stories from antiquity.
Worship and Cult
Although not as widely worshipped as Olympian gods, Eros held an important place in private devotion and some public rituals. The city of Thespiae in Boeotia hosted an annual festival called the Erotidia in his honor. His cult often appeared alongside Aphrodite’s, particularly in sanctuaries dedicated to love and fertility.
In Athens, Eros also gained prominence during the 4th century BCE as a patron of pederastic relationships and philosophical love, particularly among the elite.
Representation in Art
Greek and Roman artists often sculpted Eros as a youthful, winged figure. Hellenistic and Roman-era statues gave him soft, almost feminine features to emphasize his emotional depth. In vase paintings and mosaics, he frequently appears with Aphrodite or in scenes of playful seduction.
Renaissance and Baroque artists later revived his imagery, transforming him into the archetype of romantic love and youthful desire.
Modern Appearances
Books
- The Golden Ass by Apuleius – Contains the full myth of Eros and Psyche.
- The Symposium by Plato – Eros is central to discussions about the nature of love, desire, and the soul’s pursuit of truth.
Film and TV
- Immortals (2011) – Features Eros among the pantheon of Greek gods.
- Class of the Titans (TV series) – Includes a modernized version of Eros as a mischievous character.
Psychology
Sigmund Freud redefined “Eros” as the life drive, opposing Thanatos (death drive), in psychoanalytic theory—a testament to the god’s enduring symbolic power.