Aphrodite

ISBN-13: 9780415775229 / Angielski / Twarda / 2010 / 158 str.

Monica S. Cyrino

Opis

Aphrodite explores the many myths and meanings of the Greek goddess of love, sex and beauty. One of the most widely worshipped and popular deities in Greek antiquity, Aphrodite emerges from the imaginations of the ancient Greek writers and artists as a multifaceted, powerful and charismatic figure. This volume explores the importance of Aphrodite for the ancient Greeks, as well as her enduring influence as a symbol of beauty, adornment, love and sexuality in contemporary culture. In a wide-ranging investigation of the universality of Aphrodite's power and significance, this volume illuminates the numerous intricate levels of divinity embodied by the alluring figure of Aphrodite. Aphrodite offers new insights into the ancient texts and artistic representations of the goddess, as well as a comprehensive survey of the current scholarship about the origins and interpretations of Aphrodite, whilst also highlighting her eternal popular appeal across cultures and generations. A goddess of love who is not afraid to enter the battlefield; a goddess of bodily adornment who is the first to appear totally nude; a goddess born of the sea who emerges into the open sky: Aphrodite is a polyvalent deity, plural in nature, function and significance.

As one of the most widely worshipped god of the Greek pantheon, and an influential figure in the later classical tradition, Aphrodite merits a prominent place in the Greek Pantheon and the imaginations of post-Classical authors and artists.

Cyrino explores the significance of Aphrodite for the ancient Greeks, as well as her enduring power as a symbol of beauty, love, sexuality and creativity in post-classical culture, including modern society. This volume will examine the complex and multi-faceted levels of deity embodied by the charismatic figure of Aphrodite, and as such, its approach to the topic will recognize and celebrate the diversity of Aphrodite's sveral meanings and manifestations. Offering insights into the ancient texts and the current scholarship about Aphrodite, while highlighting her eternal popular appeal across cultures and generations, Aphrodite is both an informative and enjoyable read.

Spis treści

Why Aphrodite 1. Introducing Aphrodite  Who is Aphrodite? Aphrodite Emerges  The Evidence for Aphrodite  Overview   Key Themes  2. Birth, Origins, Name  Birth  The Castration of Ouranos  Daughter of Zeus & Dione  Origins   Near Eastern Aphrodite  Cypriot Aphrodite  Indo-European Aphrodite  Names  Cypris & Cythereia  Ourania  Overview  3. Love, Sex, War  Love & Sex  Mixis  Peithō & Pandēmos Philommeidēs Prostitution  Eros & Himeros  War  Overview  4. Beauty, Adornment, Nudity  Beauty  Adornment  Garlands & Mirrors  Goldenness  Entourage  Nudity  The Knidia  Overview  5. Intimacy with Mortals  intimacy  Pandora  Helen & Paris  Anchises & Aeneas  Adonis  Punishment  Hippolytus  Overview  6. Sea and Sky  Anodos  Sea & Sailing  Sky  Mountains  Birds  Overview  Aphrodite Afterwards  7. After Greek Antiquity  Aphrodite & Venus  Aphrodite Today  Film & Television  Overview  Further reading  Index

O autorze

Monica S. Cyrino is Professor Classics at the University of New Mexico, USA. Her research focuses on Classics in popular culture, particularly cinema, as well as ancient Greek poetry and Classical Reception studies.