Barbara Breitenberger

Aphrodite and Eros (eBook, PDF)

The Development of Erotic Mythology in Early Greek Poetry and Cult

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

This book offers a groundbreaking revision of the popular image of Aphrodite and Eros that lives on in Roman poetry (Venus and Cupid) and has inspired artists for centuries. An interdisciplinary analysis of the Archaic period - using literary, iconographical, and cultic evidence - shows the distinct concept behind the two deities of love. Aphrodite's character, sphere of influence, and function feature in her traditional myths and are well reflected in cult. Eros, however, was not yet a similarly personified mythical figure at that stage, nor did he have an individual cult. Breitenberger follows the different stages of the development of Eros's personality. Originally a cosmic entity and an unpersonified aspect of Aphrodite, he was given his mythical identity by successive archaic lyric poets who were particularly keen to mythologize a male counterpart to the established love-goddess Aphrodite. This male love-god turns out to be the divinized homoerotic ideal of the male aristocracy 'worshipped' at their symposia. The development of the male love-god is taken as an example to demonstrate that poets' artistic innovation as well as their social and historical background played an important role in creating Greek mythology.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Taylor & Francis eBooks
• Seitenzahl: 192
• Erscheinungstermin: 13. Mai 2013
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781135883775
• Artikelnr.: 39266215

Autorenporträt

Barbara Breitenberger is Assistant Professor in the Department of Classics, University of Cincinnati. Her main interests focus on Greek literature (archaic period), mythology, and religion. She has also written a translation and commentary on fragments of Aristotle's poetic writings.

Inhaltsangabe

Introduction 1. Aphrodite: The Historical Background 1.1. Introduction 1.2. The dating of the Hesiodic and Homeric Poems 1.3. Aphrodite's Origins 1.4. Cultic and Literary Evidence for Aphrodite Oujraniva's Near-Eastern Origins 1.5. The Myth of Aphrodite Oujraniva 1.6. Ishtar-Astarte and Aphrodite in Iconography 1.7. Aphrodite and Doves 1.8. Aphrodite and Dione 1.9. Conclusion 2. Some aspects of Mythmaking and cults of Aphrodite 2.1. Introduction 2.2. Divine Manifestations 2.3. Cultic Features and Epic Narrative 2.4. Aphrodite Pavndhmo in Attic Myth and Cult 2.5. Cults of Aphrodite Pavndhmo and Their Worshippers 2.6. Aphrodite Pavndhmo and the Magistrates 2.7. Aphrodite and Her Companions in Cult 2.8. Myths of Aphrodite and Harmonia 2.9. Conclusion 3. Losing her own game: Aphrodite in the Homeric Hymn 3.1. Introduction 3.2. The Background of the Hymn 3.3. The Mythical Narration: A Love Story 3.4. The Representation of Aphrodite: Adornment-scenes, Epiphanies and Cult Statues 3.5. Conclusion