Diana Renee Williams

Walk in Aphrodite’s Footsteps in Cyprus, Greece

Walk in Aphrodite’s Footsteps in Cyprus, Greece 

Aphrodite is the Greek name for the goddess of love, beauty and procreation. You may also know her by her Roman name, Venus. You may not know of her at all but, “not knowing is half the fun.” Although some stories have Aphrodite born out of seafoam, Homer describes her as the daughter of Zeus and Dione. Often Aphrodite is used as a point of comparison for female beauty & the beauty of Hellenistic mythology is everywhere in Cyprus, down to the ground you walk on. The UNESCO-designated floor mosaics of Paphos have shed light on popular Ancient Greek myths, from Scylla the sea monster to Theseus and the Minotaur. 

Within the last 150 years, the Greeks have created modern locations centered on a group of ancient stories retold through the ages, among monuments that have survived in a sea of cement, along with active volcanoes amidst startling beauty. Greece, a sparking modern metropolis that the ancients would heartily endorse as its joyous spirit remains. 

Explore the beginning of time, visit Greece and immerse yourself in Cyprus’s ancient history by visiting these mythical landmarks:

• Petra tou Romiou: Not only can you see Petra tou Romiou, where Aphrodite is said to have been born from the seafoam, you can swim around it on a full moon for good luck & eternal beauty. 
  
• Journey to Paphos: Visit the Tomb of Kings & ancient mosaics of Narcissus, Poseidon, and others on the road to Paphos. 
• Cyclops Cave: The Cyclops that Odysseus and his men encountered in The Odyssey is rumored to have lived in a cave that is accessible today on the southwestern part of the island near Paralimni.
• Baths of Aphrodite: Near the town of Latchi, a crystal-clear pool in one of the grottos is believed to be the site where Adonis first saw Aphrodite bathing. Curious about Cypriot history, art and traditions? Explore a few of the many nuances that make this population distinct.