VI Aphrodite

She was glad in heart to see them, and put desire in their breasts, so that they all mated, two together, about the shadowy coombes.
Homeric Hymn, ca. 800 – 300 BCE

Aphrodite was the golden, smiling goddess of love. Love she might kindle or keep away, as she chose. In her girdle were woven magic charms that could bewitch the wisest man and subdue the gods. By inspiring love beyond the romantic or sexual, she was also a goddess of family life, and consequently of kinship of the entire community.

Image source: Rhodes Marble Statue, ca. 200 - 300 CE