Venus vs. Aphrodite

Venus vs Aphrodite -Sophie James

Fig.1- ‘Venus vs Aphrodite’,

Lorelay Bove

Once a strong advocate for vegetation and vineyards, Venus, famed Roman Goddess, was soon consumed by the tales of Greek counterpart, Aphrodite, Goddess of love, romance and beauty. As the Romans reminisced on the majestic Greek goddess, the story of Venus was altered, to the point where the two’s names became interchangeable. The only differences separating the Goddesses, however, relate to solely their powers and their origins.

Origins

Both stories have been applied to both goddesses at one point or another, however these are the most common stories told for each goddess. 

Arisen from the remains of her father, the birthing of Aphrodite is quite unique. Her father, Uranus, God of Heavens, imprisoned all of his children after birth. This was to ensure that his children pose no threat to his throne. His raged son, Cronus, then proceeded to castrate his own father and to discard of his genitals in the ocean. Then arose Aphrodite.

Arguably less strange, Roman goddess Venus is the daughter of the powerful god Jupiter, and goddess Dione, who raised her rather average. She has two children; one mortal (with mortal lover, Anchises), and one immortal (with husband, Vulcan, Greek fire god).

Although they were raised under extremely different circumstances, the power of love and beauty is a gift both goddesses share. From a more intricate view point, however, the two could be perceived as having quite separate ways of utilising these powers.

Interactions with Humans (Powers)

Aphrodite stops at no measures to assist both the deities and mortals in their pursuit for a loved one. She offers both the power to ensnare men forever and control over the emotions of men; love and passion included. On herself, she would use these powers in order to pursue many lovers. As referred to by many, this was considered ‘promiscuous’.

Venus, nevertheless, takes a more graceful approach to love, providing domestic happiness and relationships, procreation, and long-term assistance to mortals. She also endorses in relationships with both the mortal and immortal, much alike Aphrodite. Venus is a goddess of fertility, a trait Aphrodite is yet to obtain.

Interactions with Gods

The tales of Venus and Aphrodite remain almost identical, which is why many of their stories are referred to as the same. It is said that Venus (Aphrodite) was a major part on the story of Eros and Psyche. The story tells how the worshippers of Psyche, goddess of the soul, abandoned her to worship Venus (Aphrodite) instead. Venus then enlists Cupid (Eros) to get revenge on Psyche, however he ends up falling for Psyche and marrying her.

Aphrodite (Venus) was a very controversial lover. While wed to god Hephaestus, she endured numerous affairs with both deities and morals, such as god, Ares, and human, Anchises. Aphrodite (Venus) then birthed twins Phobos are Deimos, Harmonia, and Eros (Cupid), with handsome god of war, Ares (Mars).

In comparison, Roman Goddess Venus, and Greek Goddess Aphrodite, are far from the same, despite the many similarities that may appear at surface level. The two goddesses represent two separate aspects of love, which could be due to the different values of the Roman and Greek cultures.