I) The newest HOMERIC HYMNS

Homeric Hymn 5 to Aphrodite (trans. C.) : “Moisa (Muse), let me know the fresh deeds of fantastic Aphrodite Kypria (Cyprian), whom stirs right up nice hobbies throughout the gods and subdues the fresh new tribes out-of mortal boys and you may wild birds that travel for the sky and you will every of numerous animals that dry land rears, as well as the sea: all of these like the fresh new deeds of steeped-crowned Kythereia. [The storyline of one’s passion for Aphrodite and you can Ankhises follows.] . . . Hail, deity, queen away from better-builded Kypros (Cyprus)! With you provides We started; now I will turn me to another hymn.”

Homeric Hymn 6 to Aphrodite : “I am able to play regarding stately Aphrodite, gold-crowned and beautiful, whose rule ‘s the walled cities of all ocean-lay Kypros (Cyprus). Here the new wet breath off Zephyros the new western piece of cake wafted the woman across the swells of your own loud-complaining sea inside silky foam, ad truth be told there the fresh new gold-filleted Horai (Horae, Seasons) invited their joyously. [The storyline of the beginning out-of Aphrodite pursue.] . . . Hail, sweetly-effective, coy-eyed goddess! Offer which i can get acquire the win within this competition, and buy you my track. And now I will contemplate both you and various other tune in addition to.”

Homeric Hymn 10 in order to Aphrodite : “Off Kythereia (Cytherea) [Aphrodite], produced in the Kypros (Cyprus), I am able to play. She offers please gift ideas so you’re able to guys: grins is ever before on her pleasant face, and you may charming is the lighting you to plays over it. Hail, goddess, queen from better-depending Salamis and you may ocean-girt Kypros; grant me a pleasant song. And from now on I will remember both you and some other track including.”

II) The fresh new ORPHIC HYMNS

Orphic Hymn 55 in order to Aphrodite (trans. Taylor) (Greek hymns C3rd B.C. so you can 2nd An effective.D.) : “So you’re able to Aphrodite. Ourania (Urania) (Heavenly), illustrious, laughter-loving (philommeideia) queen, sea-created (pontogenes), night-loving (philopannyx), out of dreadful mien; crafty, of which Ananke (Necessity) basic arrived, generating, nighttime, all-linking dame. ‘Tis thine the country having equilibrium to become listed on, for everybody anything spring out-of thee, O strength divine. This new multiple Moirai (Fates) is influenced of the thy decree, and all of projects produce the exact same to thee: regardless of the air, encircling the, contain, world good fresh fruit-producing, and stormy head, thy sway confesses, and you will obeys thy nod, dreadful attendant from Bakkhos [Dionysos] Goodness. Deity from wedding, charming into sight, mom of your own Erotes (Loves), exactly who banquetings delight; way to obtain Peitho (Persuasion), miracle, favouring king, illustrious born, visible and unseen; spousal Lukaina, and also to men more inclined, prolific, most-desired, life-giving, form. Great sceptre-bearer of the Gods, ’tis thine mortals within the required rings to participate; and each group of savage beasts serious in magic organizations so you can join thanks to enraged desiree, Kyprogenes (Cyprus-Born), in order to my personal prayer incline, whether or not exalted on the sky you be noticed, otherwise pleased within the odorous Syria so you’re able to preside, or higher this new Aigyptian (Egyptian) plains they care to support, designed out of gold; and near its sacred flooding, fertile and you can famous, to fix it blest property; or if perhaps rejoicing from the azure beaches, close where in actuality the ocean which have foaming billows roars, brand new circling choirs regarding mortals thy happiness, or beauteous Nymphai (Nymphs) having vision cerulean brilliant, happier because of the exotic banking institutions popular out-of old, to drive thy rapid a couple-yoked car out of gold; or if perhaps in the Kypros (Cyprus) thy well known mommy fair, in which Nymphai single praise thee annually, the fresh new loveliest Nymphai, just who about chorus signup, Adonis absolute so you’re able to sing, and you can thee divinee, all-attractive, to my prayer much more likely, for thee I telephone call, having holy, reverent notice.”

Bodily Descriptions Out of APHRODITE

Homer, Iliad step 3. 396 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) : “She [Helene out of Troy] recognized new round, nice throat of goddess [Aphrodite] and her common tits and her attention that have been loaded with shining.”