Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, 1-29

Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite 1-29

Muse, tell me of the deeds of golden Aphrodite, who brings desire to gods, mortals, birds and beasts, everything water and land nurture; except she cannot persuade threefold hearts. The works of Aphrodite do not please Athena, whom wars and battles please and who taught workmen to make chariots and taught maidens fine works. Nor does Aphrodite tame Artemis, whom bows and choruses, groves and a city of just men please. Nor do the works of Aphrodite please Hestia, whom Kronus bore first and last, by the will of Zeus. 

  • The opening reminds me a bit of the opening of Lucretius in its treatment of the power of Aphrodite across the natural world. But the poem quickly moves to a kind of anti-praise of Aphrodite, where it focuses on three goddesses who resist her power. Generally I think epic is kinda anti-erotic, and maybe this hymn is no different.
  • Other than a few mentions of Aphrodite's relationship to Cyprus, this hymn so far does not emphasize location and place; nothing about Ephesus for Artemis or Athens for Athena. Pretty different from hDem and hAp, both of which emphasize place more or less from the beginning.
  • The hymn emphasizes Artemis' concern for justice ('city of just men') -- unusual enough that Richardson digs deep to find parallels, one in Anacreon, and then later in Callimachus (likely indebted to this hymn). Artemis' passion for dancing and shady groves also makes her a kind of doublet for Apollo, who is likewise particularly associated with shady graves (alsea) in epic.
  • Hestia -- born first and last, by the will of Zeus -- a kind of paradox that the power of Zeus brings to fruition. Seems to a) point toward an interest in paradox and the seemingly impossible and b) the power of Zeus in making the impossible nevertheless come to pass.

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