| The ancient Greeks, thousands of years ago, had | | | | called the Graces, who were sisters, and threeother |
| many legends and stories about different gods and | | | | goddesses called the Horae, who represented peace, |
| goddesses. Aphrodite was the ancient Greek goddess | | | | justice and order. |
| of beauty and love. The Romans called her Venus. | | | | Certain birds and plants were considered sacred to |
| According to the Greek legends, Aphrodite was born | | | | Aphrodite. These were the sparrow and the dove, the |
| from the white foam on the crest of a wave of the | | | | rose, the myrtle, and the apple. One of the legends |
| sea. The ancient Greeks, thousands of years ago, had | | | | about Aphrodite is told in the article about ADONIS. |
| many legends and stories about different gods and | | | | Many statues of Venus or Aphroditewere carved by |
| goddesses. Aphrodite was the ancient Greek goddess | | | | ancient sculptors. The most famous of these statues |
| of beauty and love. The Romans called her Venus. | | | | is called the Venus of Alilo because it was found in |
| According to the Greek legends, Aphrodite was born | | | | 1820 in some ruins on the Greek island of Melos. It is |
| from the white foam on the crest of a wave of the | | | | now in the Louvre, the great museum of art in Paris, |
| sea. Her husband was Hephaestus (called Vulcan by | | | | France. Although the arms of the statue were broken |
| the Romans) the god of metal-working and fire. She | | | | off long ago and are missing, it is considered one of |
| was always attended by three beautiful goddesses | | | | the finest examples of ancient Greek art. |