EROS was the god of love in Greek mythology. He was represented as one of
the primeval forces of nature, the son of Chaos, and the embodiment of the
harmony and creative power in the universe. Soon, however, he was thought of
as a handsome and intense young man, attended by Pothos ("longing") or
Himeros ("desire"). Later mythology made him the constant attendant of his
mother, Aphrodite, goddess of love.
In Greek art Eros was depicted as a winged youth, slight but beautiful, often
with eyes covered to symbolize the blindness of love. Sometimes he carried a
flower, but more commonly the silver bow and arrows, with which he shot darts
of desire into the bosoms of gods and men.
