Aphrodite (U432)

Aphrodite is the Olympian goddess of love, beauty, sexual pleasure, and fertility. She is regularly attended by few of her children, the Erotes, who are capable of stirring up passion in both mortals and gods at the goddess’ will. Even though married to Hephaestus, she had affairs with all Olympians except Zeus and Hades, most famously with Ares, the god of war. She also had famous romances with two mortals, Anchises and Adonis.

## History

### Birth

Aphrodite was still born in the ocean, but in a much less weird way.

### Marriage to Hephaestus

Aphrodite was so lovely that only the three virgin goddesses – Artemis, Athena, and Hestia – were immune to her charms and power. Unsurprisingly, the second she got on Olympus, she inadvertently wreaked havoc amongst the other gods, each of whom instantly wanted to have her for himself. So as to prevent this, Zeus hurriedly married her to Hephaestus, the ugliest among the Olympians. Of course, this merely alleviated the problem: Aphrodite didn’t plan to remain faithful.

### Aphrodite and Ares

So, she started an affair with someone as destructive and as violent as herself: Ares. Helios, however, saw them and informed Hephaestus, after which the cuckolded made sure to devise a fine bronze net, which ensnared the couple the next time they lay together in bed. To add insult to injury, Hephaestus called upon all the other gods to laugh at the adulterers and freed them only after Poseidon agreed to pay for their release.

### Aphrodite and Poseidon

Poor Hephaestus! He couldn’t have known that when Poseidon saw Aphrodite naked, he fell in love with her all over again. He must have found out later, since Aphrodite gave Poseidon at least one daughter, Rhode. And she didn’t give up on Ares either! In fact, after the bronze net scandal, she bore the god of war as many as eight children: Deimos, Phobos, Harmonia, Adrestia and the four Erotes (Eros, Anteros, Pothos, and Himeros).

### Market

Aphrodite is a known materialist and once spent so lavioushlessly at a mortal market that she almost exposed herself. She had also made a bad name for herself, when she took a mortal man from the markets for herself as well.

### Hercules' Baby Shower

At Hercules' baby shower, she was talking with Hephaestus. Ares mistook this for something else, and entered a small tantrum during the party. While Zeus and Hermes were talking, Hercules snatched one of Zeus' pocket lightnings. Hera was nervous and advised Zeus to keep them away from the infant, but Zeus affirmed that he would not hurt himself. Nevertheless, Hercules got zapped when he tried to bite the bolt. The disgruntled infant then threw the bolt away, causing members of the party such as Apollo, Dionysus (who noticed first), Aphrodite, and Helios. Athena then deflected the bolt into one of the cloud formed pillars, which instantly repaired itself.

Hades made an entrance late at the baby shower, calling it sentimental. Hades had not seen anyone else in the pantheon for quite some time, and tried to lighten the mood with some jokes that all fell flat. He patted Dionysus' cheeks and asked him how he's doing, which upset him. He also made a comment to Aphrodite about her dress which seemed to annoy her as well. Zeus, oblivious to the undertones of what was going on, asked him how it was in the Underworld. Hades complained that it was dark and gloomy as always.

## Appearance and Personality

### Appearance

She is often clothed regally and has a purple glow.