Do you believe in soulmates?
In the origins of Greek mythology, humans were originally created with four arms, four legs, and a head with two faces. Afraid of the power these humans held, Zeus split them apart into two halves. From then on, humanity was sent to wander, looking for the other half of their soul.
Love is complicated. It’s the reason some people have for living; it hurts, and it drives most people to do crazy things.
The ancient Greeks had a different view of love. It was impossible to explain such a concept in just one word, so they separated it into different words.
Eros (love driven by lust), philia (love driven by friendship), agape ( love that extends beyond oneself, found in empathy and the belief of religion), storge (love for those we consider family), mania (toxic love), ludus (playful, romantic love), pragma (enduring love in long lasting relationships), and philautia (the love for oneself) are the “Ancient 8” according to HopelesslyYellow.
Philia was valued most of all the forms of Greek love which is why there are likely many tragedies over the loss of friends in Greek myths.
The Ancient 8 overlap to create the different kinds of soulmates. Non-romantic soulmates which are associated with philia, connecting soulmates which are “romantic partners who stay in your life for some time but not forever”, and twin flames which are everlasting lovers.
“I believe in soulmates,” expressed Victoria Campbell, ‘25, “There are so many people in the world it’s almost impossible to not find your perfect match.
With these complicated depictions of emotion came Aphrodite, the goddess of love. While people may think of a beautiful woman who invokes passion, beauty, and revenge, the ancient Greeks also honored her as a war goddess according to Britannica.
She’s involved in many myths including her torrid affair with the god of war, Ares. Though Aphrodite is married to Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, she was forced into marriage and didn’t love him. Her affair with Ares symbolizes how love and war seem to go hand in hand.
The most well known myth of Aphrodite is her involvement in the Trojan war. Aphrodite, Athena, and Hera fight over who’s the most beautiful goddess. They randomly elect the Trojan Prince Paris by offering him different gifts. Hera offered to make him Lord of Europe and Asia; Athena offered to make him a great military leader who would rampage across Greece, and Aphrodite offered him the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta.
Paris runs away with Helen and because of Aphrodite’s promise, a 10 year war breaks out.
Interested in media Greek by different Greek love stories? Here are some popular ones:
1)”The Son of Achilles” by Madeline Miller
I will never stop recommending this novel. Following Patroclus, an exile, who is sent to live with Prince Achilles, a boy destined to be the greatest warrior of his time. The novel explores this love story as they navigate their lives before and during the Trojan war.
This novel is a tragedy with many different ways to analyze the story. Want to learn more? Read the book review posted on the Mountaineer.
2)”Hadestown”
Would you go to the Underworld if it meant saving the person you loved? Would you guide them home and risk them being sent to Hades forever?
“HadesTown” is a jazzy musical that follows the story of Orpheus and Eurydice in a time when an eternal winter has taken over Greece. Hades has been keeping his wife Persephone from returning home to her mother and it seems like the chances for survival are fleeting.
Orpheus, a musically gifted young poet with a gift to change the world using a song he’s writing. When the song is complete, spring will come again. He falls in love with the tough and rugged girl, Eurydice. When Eurydice dies, Orpheus must quest to the underworld. Will he be able to get her home and fix what is broken among the gods?
“The musical itself holds a very special place in my heart because of its characters music,” commented Alex Franolich, ’25. “With regards to its connection with valentines day, the fact that its a tragedy doesn’t take away the beauty of the love story. The fact someone would go to the depths of hell for the person they loved and lost says it all.”
3)”Psyche and Eros” by Luna McNamara
A prophecy claims the beautiful princess Psyche will defeat a monster feared by the gods. She trains during her childhood and prepares for her fate. When she angers Aphrodite, the goddess sends her son Eros to inflict a curse on her, but accidentally falls in love with her instead. With the fast approaching war, they must work through fate and work around divine intervention.
