Aphrodite Philommêdês in the Theogony. (23rd October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bouchard, Elsa
• Is Part Of: Journal of Hellenic studies. Volume 135(2015)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2015-10-23
• Subjects: Hesiod, -- Aphrodite, -- philommêdês, -- etymology; Greek philology -- Periodicals; Inscriptions, Greek -- Periodicals; Greece -- Antiquities -- Periodicals; 938
• DOI: 10.1017/S0075426915000038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0075-4269

Abstract

Abstract: Discussion of Aphrodite's epithet philommeidês/philommêdês in Hesiod Theogony 200. Hesiod's aetiological account of this name suggests the meaning 'wiles-loving' as well as 'genitals-loving'. This interpretation is supported by a number of episodes from Archaic poetry in which literary or mythical figures make use of a ruse to permit the fulfilment of their erotic longing, or conversely exploit someone else's desire as a means to achieve supremacy in a power struggle.