𝔇𝔦𝔬𝔯's Den

Hymn to Aphrodite

Muse, tell me the things done by golden Aphrodite,
the one from Cyprus, who arouses sweet desire for gods
and who subdues the populations of mortal humans,
and birds as well, who fly in the sky, as well as all beasts
5 —all those that grow on both dry land and the sea [pontos].
They all know the things done by the one with the beautiful garlands, the one from Cythera1
But there are three whose phrenes she cannot win over or deceive.
The first is the daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, bright-eyed Athena.
For she takes no pleasure in the things done by golden Aphrodite.
10 What does please her is wars and what is done by Arēs,
battles and fighting, as well as the preparation of splendid pieces of craftsmanship.
For she was the first to teach mortal humans to be craftsmen
in making war-chariots and other things on wheels, decorated with bronze.
And she it is who teaches maidens, tender of skin, inside the palaces,
15 the skill of making splendid pieces of craftsmanship, putting it
firmly into each one’s mind