The Story of Psyche
Psyche was a mortal princess, the youngest of three daughters of a king and queen. Her name means soul in Greek. Her full story is told by the Roman writer Apuleius, and she was so beautiful that people stopped visiting the temples of Aphrodite and began to worship her instead.
Aphrodite was furious. She sent her son Eros to make Psyche fall in love with the most wretched creature he could find. But when Eros saw her, he fell in love with her himself.
Meanwhile, Psyche's worried father consulted the oracle of Apollo. He was told to leave his daughter on a mountaintop, dressed for a wedding, to be married to a fearsome creature even the gods feared. The gentle west wind Zephyrus lifted her from the rock and carried her to a valley, where she found a magnificent palace full of invisible servants.
Each night, her unseen husband came to her in the darkness and left before dawn, warning her never to try to see his face. Psyche was happy, but her jealous sisters convinced her that he was a monster who would devour her. One night she lit a lamp and raised a knife, and saw the beautiful god Eros asleep beside her, but a drop of hot oil fell on his shoulder, and he woke and flew away.
Heartbroken, Psyche searched for him everywhere and at last gave herself up to Aphrodite. The goddess set her impossible tasks. She had to sort a huge heap of mixed grains in one night, gather golden wool from dangerous sheep and fetch water from the source of the Styx, and each time she received help, from ants, a river reed and Zeus's eagle.
Her final task was to go to the Underworld and bring back a box of Persephone's beauty. Following careful instructions, she paid Charon and calmed Cerberus with cakes, and returned safely with the box. But she could not resist opening it, and a deathly sleep came over her.
Eros, now healed, found her and woke her, then flew to Zeus and asked for his help. Zeus called the gods together, gave Psyche a cup of ambrosia to make her immortal, and the couple were married on Olympus. Their daughter was Voluptas, or Pleasure, and artists often showed Psyche with butterfly wings, since the Greek word psyche also meant butterfly.
Famous Myths About Psyche
The Mysterious Husband
The princess Psyche was so beautiful that Aphrodite sent Eros to make her fall in love with a monster. He fell in love with her himself, and took her to a palace where he visited her only in darkness, forbidding her to see his face.
The Drop of Oil
Urged on by her jealous sisters, Psyche lit a lamp one night to see her husband. She saw the beautiful Eros, but a drop of hot oil fell on him, and he woke and fled.
Aphrodite's Trials
To win Eros back, Psyche performed impossible tasks set by Aphrodite, like sorting seeds and fetching golden wool. Finally she went to the Underworld for a box of Persephone's beauty, and though she was overcome by curiosity, Eros rescued her and Zeus made her immortal.
Psyche's Family Tree
Parents of Psyche
Husband of Psyche
Children of Psyche
Frequently Asked Questions About Psyche
Who is Psyche in Greek mythology?
Psyche is the goddess of the soul, a mortal princess who became immortal through her love for Eros. Her name means soul in Greek.
What is the story of Psyche and Eros?
Eros married Psyche but visited her only in darkness. When she lit a lamp to see him, he fled, and she had to complete a series of hard tasks set by Aphrodite to win him back.
How did Psyche become a goddess?
After Psyche completed her trials, Zeus gave her ambrosia to make her immortal, and she was married to Eros on Mount Olympus.
Who is Psyche's daughter?
Psyche and Eros had a daughter named Hedone, the goddess of pleasure.
