Trong các truyền thuyết, câu chuyện và trường ca, tất cả các vị thần của Hy Lạp cổ đại đều được miêu tả giống như hình dáng của con người, ngoại trừ một số sinh vật nửa người nửa thú như các nhân sư, số còn lại đều có nguồn gốc từ vùng Cận Đông và vùng Thổ Nhĩ Kỳ. | Eros was the youngest of the gods he was a winged child gracious though rebellious whose pranks and caprices caused much suffering among men and gods. He was armed with a bow and arrows whose prick stirred the fires of passion in all hearts. In his malice he respected not even his own mother and Aphrodite sometimes had to punish him by taking away his wings and quiver. Normally however he was her zealous servant. He helped with her toilet and accompanied her abroad. While the goddess lingered in the arms of Ares Eros amused himself by handling the war-god s heavy weapons and trying on his helmet with its gleaming plume. In much the same way we see him later playing with the weapons of Hercules. This cruel and charming young god who delighted in torturing men and who according to Anacreon repaid hospitality offered to him by an artfully released dart was himself sometimes a victim of the passions he inspired in others. This is illustrated by the charming tale of Psyche although the story is of late invention and more philosophical than mythological. Eros and Psyche. Psyche in Greek the word means soul was a princess of such remarkable beauty that Aphrodite herself was jealous of her. She instructed her son Eros to punish the audacious mortal. Shortly afterwards an oracle commanded Psyche s father under threat of terrifying calamities to conduct his daughter to the summit of a mountain where she would become the prey of a monster. Trembling but resigned Psyche was awaiting on a solitary rock the fulfilment of the oracle when suddenly she felt herself gently lifted in the arms of Zephyrus who carried her to a magnificent palace. When night fell Psyche was on the verge of sleep when a mysterious being joined her in the darkness explaining that he was the husband for whom she was destined. She could not see his features but his voice was soft and his conversation full of tenderness. Before the return of dawn the strange visitor disappeared first making Psyche swear .
