June 4: International Day Of Innocent Children Victims Of Aggression

Being a single parent, is as hard for people nowadays, as it was for the gods in ancient Greece. Especially love goddess Aphrodite had her hands full with rebellious little Eros, god of passion. The ancient writer Apollonius makes her complain: “To me he pays no heed, but he constantly provokes and disobeys me. I have it in mind to break his bow and arrows right before his eyes!” What was Passion’s crime?  In a fit of youthful recklessness, he had hit Aphrodite’s lover, war god Ares (also his father) with one of his magical arrows. Ares’ sudden interest in the neighbour’s wife had driven Aphrodite mad. She had had to use every trick in the book to win him back, and she was furious about the humiliation. She not only threatened to ruin Eros’ precious gear, but also to discipline him with her slipper. The ancients assumed that she didn’t go through with it, as she was otherwise known as a loving mum. Who could lose her patience, but not her self control. And who knew, as we all do, that aggression is always a sign of weakness.

Aphrodite striking Eros with sandal, National Archaeological museum of Taranto, Italy

Eros and Aphrodite, National Museu Eretria, Greece