#Greek pantheon

[sarafangirlart]

Debunking some misinformation about Hephaestus and Aphrodite’s Marriage

I’m so sick and tired so I’m making a thread, enjoy. I’ll break it down into several points.

1. Hephaestus demanded Aphrodite’s hand in marriage in exchange for Hera’s freedom and Aphrodite was forced into the marriage

You’d be surprised by how this isn’t even attested in ancient sources, rather it’s just a theory made by modern scholars bc of how spotty and limited our knowledge about this marriage is, let’s look at the actual sources:

Notice how Aphrodite isn’t even mentioned mentioned as the “prize”? Hephaestus does ask for a goddess in exchange for freeing Hera, but it’s not Aphrodite, it’s Athena. The usual course of events is this:

Hephaestus is angry at Hera for her mistreatment and sends a golden throne that traps her

The other gods try to persuade him to free her but he refuses

Dionysus convinces him by getting him drunk

Again the theory that Aphrodite was the prize for whoever gets Hephaestus to Olympus is just that, a theory. Not a really good one either bc wouldn’t Aphrodite be married to Dionysus instead? It’s a really shallow portrayal of all figures involved tbh, why would Ares only be interested in freeing his mother if it meant he gets to marry Aphrodite? Why would anyone on Olympus not be worried about their queen being chained up? Believe it or not but Hera isn’t as disliked as one would think lol

Now even if Aphrodite wasn’t a prize how did she end up marrying Hephaestus? And was she forced into doing it? No actually (Lucian’s Dialogue of the gods):

That’s not to say this wasn’t an arranged marriage (it most likely was) but arranged marriage and forced marriage are not the same thing. If you think this is a forced marriage then what about Cadmus and Harmonia? Heracles and Hebe? Both these marriages were arranged by Zeus but no one would claim they’re forced marriages.

2. Aphrodite hated Hephaestus

Now this is more open to interpretation, after all love is subjective, but to say they outright hated each other would be incorrect, there is this myth that Aphrodite cursed Lemnos to have the men abandon their wives and female family members, usually bc they neglected on worshipping her (tho a late Latin source says it’s revenge for exposing her affair).

Apollonius of Rhodes' Argonautica:

However this bit seems to be rather… genuine? Almost as if she might have truly felt bad for what she did and wanted to reconcile, sounds like someone with a deeply messy and complicated relationship with their partner, but not outright hate.

Also there is this moment in Lucian’s Dialogue of the Gods which is pretty funny:

3. Hephaestus only saw Aphrodite as property

Ok I don’t like using the “it was a different time” card but like… it really does apply here lol

Now we’ve already established that Aphrodite was never a prize for Hephaestus to begin with so what about the betrothal gifts he gave to Zeus? Obviously that means he was buying Aphrodite right?

Well, no actually this is a normal part of Ancient Greek marriage (obviously it varied between cities and time periods but it usually goes something like this), the father of the bride and the groom exchange gifts with each other to establish a bond between the two, the bride herself wasn’t the “gift” Zeus’s gift to Hephaestus was most likely his place on Olympus.

To say that Hephaestus bought Aphrodite would mean that Odysseus bought Penelope, or Hector bought Andromache, both are ludicrous claims.

4. Hephaestus is an incel and Ares is this big feminist icon

No, just… no.

Ares was never considered “the protector of women” in Ancient Greece that’s tumblr fanfiction and plenty of other ppl have made posts debunking this (including me) so I won’t repeat that here. Now about Hephaestus being an “incel” all the male Olympians have at least one story where they harm an innocent/defenseless woman, all of them, yes including Ares who persecuted Leto while she was heavily pregnant by Hera’s orders.

5. Aphrodite cheated to “regain her sexuality”

No Patrick, cheating on your disabled spouse with his brother in the bed and palace he made for you is not a girlboss move it’s being an asshole (all the gods are flawed, how thought provoking). Hell, even Zeus wouldn’t pull shit like this with Hera.

Aphrodite and Ares most likely did this hoping it would be the last place anyone would suspect an affair, since Aphrodite could’ve had sex with Ares in his own place or some meadow somewhere but that might cause ppl to be too suspicious.

6. Ares is a big dumb brute who can’t take a hint and only saw Aphrodite for her beauty

Believe it or not, just bc I criticize Aphrodite and Ares doesn’t mean I hate them lol. Now look, all the gods care deeply about looks but that’s not the only thing that Ares and Aphrodite love about each other. Here is Ares being a total simp and actually listening to her:

Iliad book 5

Thebaid book 3

7. Aphrodite felt neglected by Hephaestus bc he’s too busy at the forge

No lol, she straight up works with him at the forge, why wouldn’t she? If anything this claim makes Aphrodite even more shallow than she actually is.

8. Aphrodite and Ares didn’t care about being humiliated in the golden net and Ares straight up brags about cucking his brother

Yes I’ve heard such claims and no Ares and Aphrodite are actually capable of feeling shame lol, almost as if they were in the wrong. Also why would Ares actively antagonize the guy who makes all his stuff? Maybe that’s why Athena keeps beating his ass, bc Hephaestus purposely gives Ares shitty weapons and armor lol

Anyways umm… I think that’s it? Maybe I missed a few things bc I’m frustrated af rn

Just so y’all know, I’m not a scholar I’m just autistic and read a lot lol. I hope I didn’t miss something or get anything wrong.

Have a good day (or night).

[spixmi]

My Lord Apollo. Much love. (That song reminds me of him, I once saw it in a playlist)

[that-cunning-witch]

"Aphrodite loves terfs" do you really think a goddess of love formed from a literal penis and the mother of Hermaphroditus, an intersex god who was associated with androgyny and feminine men, fucks around with transphobia?

she is a literal trans icon and to deny that will get you smited by all the gods

[vampbloodbunny2]

Percy: one of my talents is being stress

Annabeth: do you mean being stressed?

Percy, looking at Chiron who's downing 6 aspirins: I don't think-

[amiti-art]

The fact that Python is Apollo's greatest enemy and snake is Asclepius' sacred animal will always be funny

Part 2

[nyuiarantes]

Apollo and Artemis 🏹🌿✨

I really enjoyed to make this piece! I did the lineart traditionally and painted it digitally

This piece was based on an attic red-figure cup from the 4th century BCE

[thewhisperofzagreus]

Bronze sculpture of Dionysus. Materials: bronze, silvering, gilding. Base made of marble. The product contains natural amethysts.

[apolloprophecy]

Forgot to post Apollo lol - He’s here now! 🔆

I’ll also get back on my creepypasta grind - comment ideas you wanna see in my style!

[ivettaflowerblooom]

La Danse Triomphale de Pallas Athénée

Statue of Athena in Paris. She is also supposed to be holding a spear in her hands

[okayyeros]

Apollo feels like being smeared in charcoal and paint, taking a deep breath and smelling the oil paint and solvent lingering in the air.

Hestia feels like the end of a college party, when everyone is lying together, slowly sobering up and talking about their hometowns.

Aphrodite feels like taking off your makeup after a long day and staring in the bathroom mirror, truly seeing yourself for the first time in a while.

Hermes feels like people watching on the bus, overhearing all the stories of people you will never meet.

Eros feels like loving something so fiercely, with so much passion, that you don't think you can live without it.

Hypnos feels like waking up from a dream that changed your view of the world, for the better.

Artemis feels like the girls you meet at parties who make sure you have a safe ride home.

Hephestus feels like spending hours meticulously building, with a clear vision in mind, but no proper measurements.

Hades feels like the hot embers burning bright on a fire that is slowly dwindling.

Dionysus feels like teaching young actors the ritualistic traditions of a theatre.

Ares feels like protesters fighting for change with unwavering strength.

Poseidon feels like learning about challengers deep for the first time and feeling yourself get entranced by the duality of the ocean.

[sarafangirlart]

was Ares ever considered a defender of women, i know compared to his dad that Ares is more consentual with his partners and has rizz compared to his old man shapeshifting to sneak up on people. Asking cause theres a bit in Blood of Zeus where Ares is one of Persephone's suitors (planned by Demeter) and she doesnt want him as Hades steps in when Ares starts getting physical.

No, @theoihalioistuff made a whole post about that. The only times he’s ever defended or helped women is bc their either his daughters or he’s attracted to them. Plus he has shapeshifted to get with women tho not as often as his father.

Also having Demeter trying to set up Persephone with Ares when Demeter was the one to reject him is certainly… a choice.

[spixmi]

My lady Aphrodite. Most beautiful woman alive 🩷 She gets a rose from me. Such a loving lady 🩷💖

[dollar-store-kazoo]

Apollo :) my fav Greek deity

Based off this statue:

[starsthewitch]

Some Aphrodite facts for people who want to know more!!

✶She’s the mother of Hermaphroditus, the god of effeminacy and the origin of the word hermaphrodite. They’re an intersex person born with male and female characteristics.

✶ Aphrodite was believed to have a magical girdle (or belt) called the "Cestus," which could enhance her irresistible allure and seductive powers.

✶ In addition to her romantic and sexual aspects, Aphrodite was also revered as a protectress of sailors, offering safe passage across the seas.

✶ She was also worshipped as a protector of prostitutes and courtesans, reflecting her association with love and desire in all its forms.

✶ Aphrodite's name originated from the word Sea-foam.

✶ The dove, The affectionate white or turtle-dove was the bird of love, was a bird sacred to the goddess Aphrodite. Doves were said to draw her heavenly chariot, and the Syrian Aphrodite Ashtarte was said to have been hatched from an egg nursed by doves.

✶ In most sculptures, she is often depicted with a round face and a pear body shape! Even having rolls on some of them.

[amiti-art]

Every 5 minutes of scrolling through Greek Mythology fanarts be like

Come on I can't be the only one

[worshipthesunshine]

i’ll never get over how beautiful hellenic polytheism is