The perennial favorite, Aphrodite (pronounced AFRO-dye-tee), whom the Romans called Venus (pronounced VEE-nus) was the goddess of sexual love and pleasure.

In Greek mythology, Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty, similar in powers to the Roman goddess Venus.

There are several versions of her birth--the most enchanting of which is the idea that she sprang from the sea, hence her name means "foam-risn". It is this version of the story that has become most popular in modern times due to the exquisite "Birth of Venus" painting by Botticelli.

The most famous legend involving Aphrodite relates to her indirect incitement of the Trojan War. Eris, the goddess of discord, was slighted when her name was left off of the guest list at a royal wedding. Seeking revenge and a good laugh, Eris tossed a golden apple, inscribed with the words "To the Fairest" into the banquet hall.

Three major goddesses claimed the apple: Hera (Queen of the gods), Athena (goddess of wisdom) and Aphrodite.

When the three goddesses insisted that Zeus, king of the gods, award the apple to one of them, he wisely refused, even though Hera was his wife. The three bickering goddesses then roped Paris, prince of Troy, into making the selection.

Not to leave anything to chance, each goddess attempted to bribe Paris. Hera, offered him power and kingship. Athena, offered him military fame.  But Aphrodite, who obviously understood youth and hormones better than the other two did, offered him any woman in the world.

Paris opted for Aphrodite's enticing offer and chose someone else's wife as his prize --  the famous beauty, Helen of Troy. Paris' successful abduction of Helen led to the Trojan War.

Earlier prototypes for the goddess Aphrodite may be found in the Phoenician goddess Astarte and the Babylonian Ishtar.

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