Erotes

The Erotes are a group of winged gods in Classical mythology. They are associated with love and sexual desire, and form part of Aphrodite's retinue. Sometimes the Erotes are regarded as manifestations of a singular god, Eros. Spells to attract or repel Erotes were used, in order to induce love or the opposite. The Erotes were usually portrayed as nude, handsome, winged youths. The earliest known sculptured friezes depicting a group of Erotes and winged maidens driving chariots pulled by goats, were created to decorate theatres in ancient Greece in the 2nd century BCE. The representation of Erotes in such friezes became common, including Erotes in hunting scenes. The presence of Erotes in otherwise non-sexual images, such as of two women, has been interpreted to indicate a homoerotic subtext. == Gallery ==

File:Pyxis with cupids and Aphrodite (5th cent. B.C.) at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens on 11 September 2018.jpg Classical squat lekythos ARV extra - two Erotes playing with astragaloi.jpg File:Procession of Erotes (ACMA 1451).jpg File:Symposium of Erotes, 1st century CE, fresco, House of Marcus Lucretius, triclinium 16, east wall, north section, central painting, Pompeii, MANN 9207.jpg File:Side museum sarcophagus with erotes 2 019.jpg ==See also==