The Erotes and the Charites serve together as Aphrodite's attendants. In Pausanias's Description of Greece, both groups appear alongside the goddess in temple sculpture and cult imagery at multiple sanctuaries.
The Erotes and the Horae both attend Aphrodite in Hellenistic art. In the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, the Horae dress the goddess upon her arrival, while the Erotes accompany her as agents of desire.
Aphrodite commands the Erotes as her retinue and agents, dispatching them to inflame mortals and gods with desire at her will.
The Erotes are the winged love gods who attend Aphrodite: Eros chief among them, with Anteros, Himeros, Pothos, and Hedylogos, each embodying a distinct facet of desire in Hellenistic tradition.
Hedone, the personification of pleasure, is the daughter of Eros and Psyche. As offspring of the chief Eros, she is closely associated with the Erotes' domain of desire and its fulfillment.
Hermaphroditus is sometimes counted among the Erotes in late tradition, as a child of Aphrodite and Hermes. Hellenistic art occasionally depicts Hermaphroditus alongside the winged love gods.
We use cookies to understand how you use our site and improve your experience. Learn more