The (Love) Story of Ares & Aphrodite?

There exists no canon, only several re-tellings that shaped the narratives over time. Among the intricate stories, one that captivates with its blend of love and war is the entangled tale of Ares and Aphrodite. Homer’s Iliad hints at their forbidden affair, caught and ensnared by the cunning Hephaestus. Hesiod’s Theogony goes further, acknowledging their relationship as having borne children, the embodiments of fear and terror, Phobos and Deimos. Other ancient sources like Ovid and Euripides echo these themes, solidifying the enduring fascination with the divine union.

However, much of the vivid imagery we associate with this celestial love story can be traced back to the Renaissance era. Artists of this period, captivated by the juxtaposition of love and war in the narrative, extrapolated the fragments of the tale into detailed, dramatic statues, paintings, and plays. In these visual and performative arts, the story of Ares and Aphrodite gained new life, with nuances and details that evolved beyond the original myth.

The Most Popular Tale of Ares & Aphrodite: The Cheating & Punishment

Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and sexual love, emerged from the sea, captivating all who laid eyes upon her. Vain and well-aware of her allure, she became the object of desire for gods, mortals, and beings alike. However, her beauty would lead to an unexpected entanglement with Hephaestus, the god of fire, forge, blacksmiths, and artisans.

Hephaestus, born to Hera and Zeus, harbored a secret love for Aphrodite. Yet, his own mother, unimpressed by his appearance, banished him from Olympus upon his birth due to his unfortunate looks — a stark contrast to the radiant beauty of Aphrodite.

In a bid for revenge, the cunning Hephaestus crafted a magical throne, luring Hera into its enchantment. He demanded Aphrodite as his wife in exchange for her release. Zeus, the supreme god, granted this unusual request, setting the stage for a complicated love triangle.

However, the myth tells us that Aphrodite, displeased with the union, loathed Hephaestus for his lack of beauty. Undeterred, Hephaestus showered her with meticulously crafted jewelry, hoping to win her affection, but to no avail. Instead, Aphrodite sought solace in the arms of other gods and even mortals.

Enter Ares, the god of war, violence, and defender of the weak. Unlike Hephaestus, Ares was handsome and virile, with a penchant for goddesses and women. According to the myth, Ares fell passionately in love with Aphrodite upon meeting her, a departure from his usual conquests.

A complex love story unfolded as Ares courted Aphrodite with gifts and compliments, leading to a clandestine romance. The couple, wary of being discovered, took advantage of Hephaestus’ nightly seclusion in his workshop to revel in their forbidden love.

To keep their secret, a young man named Alectryon stood guard at the door, alerting them when the Sun, Helios, approached. The gods permitted various love affairs, but the key was to avoid formal infidelity — maintaining only one lover. Aphrodite and Ares, however, flouted this rule.

The tale takes a dramatic turn when Alectryon, exhausted by his daily vigilance, succumbed to sleep, failing to alert the lovers to the rising Sun. Helios witnessed the clandestine affair and, outraged, divulged the truth to Hephaestus.

Fuelled by hurt and seeking revenge, Hephaestus devised a cunning plan. He crafted a nearly invisible net of gold threads, leaving it on the bed where Aphrodite and Ares shared their intimate moments. Convinced Hephaestus had left on a trip, the lovers seized the opportunity.

As they indulged in their secret liaison, the golden net fell upon them, ensnaring them in their forbidden embrace. Hephaestus returned, exposing the illicit affair to the amusement of the assembled gods.

Following this divine intervention, the lovers were separated, each facing their own punishment. Alectryon, the negligent guard, was transformed into a rooster, forever announcing the Sun’s arrival. From the union of Ares and Aphrodite, the god of romantic love, Eros, was born, marking the enduring legacy of their passionate but tumultuous affair.

Despite the punishments and separation, Ares and Aphrodite broke the rules, having seven more children in defiance of divine conventions.

The Classical Foundations

The roots of Ares and Aphrodite’s story can be traced to the classical era, where plays and texts from Ancient Rome reinforced the forbidden love affair. Homer, in the Iliad, offers a glimpse into their passionate tryst, the divine lovers ensnared by the crafty Hephaestus. Hesiod, in Theogony, goes further, acknowledging their union as the source of two fearsome children, Phobos and Deimos. Euripides and Ovid also contribute to the narrative, weaving tales that echo the enduring theme of forbidden love between the god of war and the goddess of love.

Renaissance Extrapolation

While the classical era laid the foundation, it was the Renaissance that breathed new life into the tale. Artists of this period, driven by a fascination with the dichotomy of love and war, explored the nuances of Ares and Aphrodite’s relationship. Intricate sculptures, vivid paintings, and compelling plays emerged, each adding layers to the narrative.

For instance, in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Ares makes a fleeting appearance in the Adonis/Aphrodite tale. Yet, in later retellings and artistic depictions, Ares is cast as a jealous figure, sometimes even implicated in the tragic death of Adonis. This Renaissance reinterpretation added complexity and depth to the characters, shaping the narrative into a timeless exploration of divine passion and its consequences.

Jealousy and Tragedy

As the Renaissance era unfolded, the tale of Ares and Aphrodite evolved to encompass themes of jealousy and tragedy. The love triangle with Adonis, often a minor element in the earlier stories, gained prominence. Ares, the god of war, became entangled not only in the celestial realm but also in the affairs of mortals, heightening the drama and intensity of the narrative.

In some renditions, Ares is portrayed as a figure driven by envy, contributing to the demise of Adonis. This artistic exploration further cemented the notion of forbidden love and the intricate web of relationships among the gods.

Conclusion

From the subtle references in ancient texts to the vivid depictions in the Renaissance era, the forbidden love affair has captured the imagination of storytellers and artists alike. Ares and Aphrodite’s story stands as a testament to the enduring power of myth, evolving with each retelling to explore the timeless themes of passion, jealousy, and the consequences of love that defies divine boundaries.