The Story of Eros
Eros was the god of love and desire, and his story changed greatly over time. In Hesiod's account of creation, he was one of the very first gods, appearing right after Chaos, Gaia and Tartarus. He was the most beautiful of the immortals, a power that loosens the limbs and overcomes the minds of gods and mortals alike.
In this ancient form, Eros was a force that brought things together, allowing the first beings to join and create new life. In some Orphic tellings he was the same as Phanes, the shining god who hatched from the cosmic egg. Without Eros, the Greeks believed, the world could never have grown and multiplied.
Later writers made Eros the son of Aphrodite, usually with Ares as his father. He became a beautiful winged youth, and later a playful child, armed with a bow and arrows. A golden arrow made its target fall helplessly in love, while a lead arrow made them reject love.
Eros used his arrows even on the greatest gods. When Apollo mocked him for playing with a weapon fit for warriors, Eros shot Apollo with a golden arrow and the nymph Daphne with a lead one. Apollo chased Daphne in desperate love until she was turned into a laurel tree to escape him.
His most famous story is his love for Psyche, a mortal princess so beautiful that people stopped worshipping Aphrodite. The jealous goddess sent Eros to make Psyche fall in love with a monster, but he fell in love with her himself and visited her only in darkness. When Psyche broke her promise and looked at him, he fled, and she had to complete a series of hard trials before they were reunited.
Eros also played a part in the quest for the Golden Fleece. Hera and Athena asked Aphrodite to help Jason, and Eros shot the princess Medea with an arrow. Overwhelmed by love, Medea betrayed her father and used her magic to help Jason win the fleece.
The Greeks worshipped Eros in many places, especially at Thespiae in Boeotia, where games called the Erotidia were held in his honor. His statues often stood in gymnasiums, beside those of Hermes and Heracles. The Romans called him Cupid or Amor, and his image as a winged archer is still a symbol of love today.
Famous Myths About Eros
Among the First Gods
In Hesiod's account of creation, Eros was one of the very first gods to appear, right after Chaos, Gaia, and Tartarus. He was the most beautiful of the immortals, with the power to overcome the minds of gods and mortals alike.
Apollo and Daphne
Apollo mocked Eros for playing with a bow, so Eros shot him with a golden arrow of love and shot the nymph Daphne with a lead arrow of rejection. Apollo chased her until she turned into a laurel tree.
Eros and Psyche
Aphrodite sent Eros to make the beautiful princess Psyche fall in love with a monster, but he fell in love with her himself. After she passed many hard trials, they were married, and Psyche became immortal.
Medea's Love
To help Jason win the Golden Fleece, Hera and Athena asked Aphrodite to make Medea fall in love with him. Eros shot the princess with an arrow, and she betrayed her father to help Jason.
Eros's Family Tree
Parents of Eros
Wife of Eros
Children of Eros
Frequently Asked Questions About Eros
Who is Eros in Greek mythology?
Eros is the god of love and desire. In Hesiod he is one of the first beings to appear at creation, while later writers made him a mischievous young son of Aphrodite.
Who are Eros's parents?
In the oldest accounts, Eros has no parents and arose at the beginning of the world. In later stories, he is the son of Aphrodite, usually with Ares.
What is the story of Eros and Psyche?
Eros fell in love with Psyche, a beautiful mortal, and visited her only in darkness. After she lost him and completed a series of hard tasks set by Aphrodite, Zeus made Psyche immortal and the two were married.
What are Eros's symbols?
Eros carries a bow and arrows that make people fall in love, and he is shown with wings, a torch and sometimes a lyre.
What is Eros's Roman name?
The Romans called Eros Cupid.
