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In Greek and Roman mythology, Aphrodite (or Venus) is the goddess of love and beauty. She also represents lust and sexuality (although not fertility). Theogony, by Hesiod, describes her as being born from the sea foam when Kronos cut off his own genitals and threw them into the sea. This scene is famously portrayed by the Italian artist Sandro Boticelli.

Aphrodite epitomizes the standard story character and modern archetype of the temptress. The true temptress is amoral and destroys men, who can not help but lust for her. In her poem 'Aphrodite,'' Olga Broumas describes this lack of concern for others, this void of emotion: 'she is all stone and turns all around her to stone.''

Men have long tried to depower Aphrodite, and the tradition continues in contemporary poetry such as 'The Death of Venus'' by Robert Creeley and 'The Re-birth of Venus'' by Geoffrey Hill. She has become a receptacle of longing and blame.

Of all the stories, literature, and art devoted to Aphrodite, only a small handful have ever considered myths from her perspective.

Learn more about this author, Keri Withington.
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