For each and every maiden symbolizing good goddess try accompanied by her very own companion
Homeric Hymn 5 in order to Aphrodite 78 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek impressive C7th to help you last B.C.) : «Aphrodite, brand new daughter from Zeus endured in advance of him [Ankhises (Anchises)], getting particularly a sheer maiden high and you will mien, which he shouldn’t be terrified as he grabbed heed out-of this lady together with his sight. Now when Ankhises watched their, he designated their better and wondered from the their mien and you can height and you will glowing garments. Having she try clad for the a gown out-shining new illumination of flame, an outstanding robe regarding gold, graced with all of means of needlework, hence shimmered including the moonlight more her sensitive breasts, a wonder observe. . . [after she found the girl correct divine peak and mien] along with her lead reached on the better-hewn roof-tree; off the lady face shone unearthly beauty such as for example belongs to rich-crowned Kythereia (Cytherea). . . [and] as he [Ankhises] noticed the new shoulder and you can lovely vision away from Aphrodite, he was scared and you will turned into his vision away one other way, covering up his comely deal with with his cloak.»
Also she dressed in turned brooches and you can radiant earrings regarding the form from flowers; and you can bullet their silky mouth area have been charming rings
Homeric Hymn six to Aphrodite 6 ff : «New Horai (Horae, Seasons) dressed up the girl [Aphrodite] that have beautiful clothes: for her lead they put an excellent, well-wrought crown away from silver, and also in the lady pierced ears they strung ornaments out-of orichalc and you will precious gold, and adorned her having golden rings more the girl soft shoulder and you will snow-white boobs, jewels that the gold-filleted Horai don by themselves.»
Philostratus more youthful, Imagines 8 (trans. Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C3rd An excellent.D.) : «[Off an explanation out-of an excellent Greek decorate:] Around three goddesses position close him or her—they require zero interpreter to inform who they really are . . . the following you to definitely [Aphrodite] inside the brand new paint suggests the latest ‘laughter-loving’ (philomeides) spirits because of the brand new magic out-of her girdle.»
Apuleius, The fresh new Fantastic Butt 10. 30 ff (trans. Walsh) (Roman book C2nd Good.D.) : «[Away from a conclusion regarding an old Greek enjoy portraying the latest Reasoning off Paris:] Just after her or him a 3rd girl inserted, her beauty substantially unsurpassed. Their charming, ambrosia-such skin intimated one to she illustrated the earlier Venus [Aphrodite] whenever one goddess had been a maiden. She vaunted their untouched charm of the appearing nude and you may nude but for a slimmer silken apparel veiling the lady entrancing straight down pieces. A wondering gust out-of heavens perform at the one second having a little lubricous love blow this apparel aside, in order that when wafted away they shown her virgin flower; at some other moment it might wantonly inhale directly upon it, hanging securely and you will vividly discussing the fresh enjoyable prospect of their all the way down limbs. The goddess’s looks given researching colors to the vision, on her behalf human body is actually spectacular white, intimating the lady lineage of heaven along with her gown try deep blue, denoting the girl development throughout the water . . . . . Venus [Aphrodite] try surrounded by a throng of your happiest pupils; you might enjoys bound that those nothing guys whoever peels was indeed effortless and whole milk-light were legitimate Cupides [Erotes] who had merely flown inside away from sky or ocean. They checked just he spend the the little wings, miniature arrows, and also the remainder of their score-right up, just as in sparkling torches they lighted the way in which due to their domme as though she were on the way to a married relationship-meal. Second floated into the charming youngsters, single female, representing similarly the Gratiae [Charites, Graces] in the its most elegant, as well as on additional the Horae [Horai] in every their beauty. These people were appeasing the fresh new deity by the strewing wreaths and you will unmarried flowers before their, and they formed a more elegant chorus-range as they needed in order to excite the fresh Domme regarding pleasures which have the dried leaves off spring season. This new flutes with the of numerous closes have been now helping to make from inside the sweet equilibrium tunes throughout the Lydian function. While they affectingly softened the latest hearts of onlookers, Venus [Aphrodite] however so much more affectingly began to gently stir herself; that have slow, lingering methods, restrained swaying of your own pelvis, and slow inclination of the head she started to get better, the lady subtle motions coordinating the mellow injuries of flutes. Occasionally the lady vision alone would moving, due to the fact on you to time she lightly reduced her lids, at another imperiously signalled having threatening glances.»