Cupid
Cupid, also known as Amor, was the Roman god of Love and the equivalent of the Greek god Eros.|
Eros (Cupid) is not mentioned in Homer, but occurs first in Hesiod whose conception of him is of a cosmic force uniting in harmony and love the conflicting elements of the primeval chaos.
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The geneology of Cupid is somwhat confused. Some Roman and Greek writers said he was the offspring of Aphrodite (Venus) by Ares (Mars) while others claimed that his father was Zeus (Jupiter), or Hermes (Mercury).
Cupid was represented as a wanton boy with bow and arrows. His eyes are often depicted as being covered so that he shoots his arrows blindly.
Cupid's arrows could pierce the fish at the bottom of the sea, the birds in the sky, and even the gods in the heavens. His favourite place was on the island of Cyprus.
Later poets embellished the story, creating analogous deities. For example Aneros ('return love') was a deity whose function was to punish those who did not return the love of others.
A Great festival with games, the Cerealia, was held in honour of the goddess Ceres, and her worship acquired great importance in the city. The decrees of the Senate were deposited in her temple for the inspection of the Tribunes and the People.
More Roman Gods ...