Love In Greek: Classical Ideas Of Love And Romance
From tragic myths to Athenian philosophy, the Ancient Greeks offered a unique perspective on love and romance. While some elements of classical mythology may be challenging to read due to dark themes, there are also touching stories of loyalty and longing that still resonate today.
The seven types of love from ancient Greece
Eros
The Greek word Eros refers to sexual passion and lust. It may be more physical love as opposed to romantic. We may refer to this today as sexual desire. Eros may be felt towards any gender, in married relationships, as lovers, or as more casual sex partners.
Eros is also the name of the Greek God of love, whose Roman counterpart is Cupid. Sometimes depicted as an infant or a young man, Eros is the culprit behind many mythological love stories in Ancient Greece. The love god is also closely associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty, and passion, who is often identified as his mother.
While Eros is often characterized as a positive and life-giving force, it may also lead to obsessive love, ending in tragedy and madness. Greek mythology and tragedies are full of tragic love stories, misplaced sexual affection, and ruinous consequences.
Although primarily sexual in 5th-century philosophy and beyond, the scope of Eros is broadened to include philosophical life as well. Eros need not necessarily be physical, but can, instead, refer to a yearning for knowledge of the beautiful, the good, and the true.
Philia
The Greek term philia understands that physicality isn’t always a necessary part of love. Philia refers to affectionate love between equals, often strong friendship or brotherly love. Philia is often interpreted as a more virtuous kind of love, separate from the love of sexual attraction. Built on honesty and understanding, philia bonds may be just as strong as romantic and sexual attachments.
Agape
Agape is a type of unconditional, selfless love that refers to a person's love towards their children, parents, spouse, community, or even strangers. Agape can also be a form of Christian love, indicating the love of Jesus or God's love towards his creation.
Ludus
To the Greeks, ludus was a type of playful love indicated by playful behavior and budding feelings. It was often used to describe the exciting "puppy love" of a new relationship or crush. A relationship built on ludus typically did not lead to a committed relationship.
Storge
Storge is the concept of unconditional love, often for someone in the family. It is not romantic and is known to be a solid and unwavering familial love. For example, a mother's love for her child may be known as storge.
Philautia
Philautia is deep self-love. It can mean having high self-esteem, caring for yourself, seeing yourself as valuable, or practicing self-awareness. Self-love is not necessarily selfish or without compassion. This type of love can be practiced through mindfulness or self-compassion practices like journaling and self-check-ins.
Pragma
Pragma is said to be a compassionate, long-term love, often between those who have been in a romantic or committed relationship for years. Eros can become pragma with time or commitment in a healthy relationship.
Love and mythology in ancient times
Love and romance are enduring subjects throughout Greek mythology, with stories of successful couples that brave the odds, and tragic tales of loss and betrayal. These Greek stories compose a rich tapestry of myth and legend and are the subject of many subsequent poems, plays, and works of art.
Ariadne and Theseus
Ariadne and Theseus are featured prominently in the legend of the Minotaur. Ariadne was the daughter of King Minos of Crete. Underneath the Cretan palace, Minos kept a minotaur in a maze, to whom he sacrificed Athenian youths each year. To halt the sacrifices and defeat the Minotaur, Theseus, the son of the king of Athens, traveled to Crete with the sacrificial party. With Ariadne's help, Theseus navigated the maze, killed the Minotaur, and escaped the island.
In most versions of the myth, after Ariadne and Theseus flee Crete, Theseus abandons her on the island of Naxos. While Ariadne is distraught at this abandonment, she is rescued and wooed by the God Dionysus, to whom she later bears several children. Ariadne and Theseus' story runs the gamut from initial romance to adventures together, to eventual betrayal. Nevertheless, the story concludes with Ariadne ascending to the status of a demi-goddess as Dionysus' wife.
Medea and Jason
The love story of Medea and Jason is another famous Greek myth that spawned many other reinterpretations throughout history. When Jason travels to Colchis in his quest for the Golden Fleece, he encounters Medea, the king's daughter. Medea feels an immediate physical attraction and falls in love with Jason and assists him in his search. Medea is a sorceress, who uses her power to help her lover complete the three tasks set out for him. In some versions of the story, she makes Jason promise that he will marry her in exchange for her help.
Jason and Medea take the fleece and sail away, with Medea murdering her brother during their escape. Medea and Jason have several other adventures together and several children. However, when they arrive in Corinth, Jason abandons Medea in favor of the king's daughter, Glauce. Mad with grief and rage, Medea kills Glauce with the gift of a poisoned dress. Medea then kills her children in an ultimate act of revenge against Jason. This portrayal of murder and revenge in the ancient world has been a popular topic for art throughout the centuries.
Psyche and Eros
Psyche is a beautiful princess whose suitors venerate her in place of Aphrodite. Outraged by this usurpation, Aphrodite sends her son Eros to shoot Psyche with one of his arrows and cause her to fall in love with something ugly. Instead, Eros accidentally pricks himself with his own arrow and falls madly in love with Psyche.
Psyche is soon whisked away to a secret bower, where Eros visits her only under cover of night to consummate their love. After encouragement from her sisters, Psyche tries to uncover Eros' identity but only succeeds in pricking herself on one of his arrows and falling even more in love with him. Eros flees, and Psyche is forced to wander the earth searching for him.
Psyche eventually comes under the control of Aphrodite and must complete a series of increasingly challenging tasks to appease her, including sorting grain, retrieving golden wool, bringing backwater from the river Styx, and even traveling to the underworld. Through the help of other supernatural beings, Psyche is able to complete all of these tasks. At the end of the myth, Psyche and Cupid are reunited and married, and Psyche is allowed to drink ambrosia and become a goddess.
Odysseus and Penelope
Odysseus is one of the heroes of the Trojan War, renowned for his skill with words and his crafty nature. After the ten-year war, however, Odysseus is swept off course on his return home and spends another ten years wandering the seas to return to his wife, Penelope, and his son, Telemachus.
Penelope, meanwhile, must spend ten years fending off ravenous suitors eager to marry her and claim Odysseus' ancestral lands. Penelope, too, is known for her crafty nature and tricks the suitors into accepting her delays when it comes to a new marriage. When Odysseus finally returns home, the two are reunited, and Penelope is rewarded for her fidelity and patience.
Hector and Andromache
Hector and Andromache are two mythological figures whose stories are chronicled in Homer's epics. Hector is a prince of Troy, set to defend his city against the invading Achaeans. Andromache is his wife and the mother of his infant son.
Several scenes in the Iliad depict them interacting with one another and professing their love for each other. Hector is killed by Achilles outside the gates of Troy, leaving behind Andromache and their child.
Helen and Paris
Helen is the cause of the Trojan War, the face that launched a thousand ships, while Paris is her lover and accomplice. Their story begins as Paris herds sheep on a distant mountain, where three goddesses approach him to judge a contest to determine who is the most beautiful. Paris rules Aphrodite as the most beautiful, for which she promises him the world's most beautiful woman, Helen of Sparta.
Helen is married to Menelaus, the king of Sparta, and when Paris steals her away to Troy, Menelaus follows with a vast army of Achaeans to bring back his bride. The Trojan War ensues, with much blood spilled on both sides. After the end of the war, Helen returns to Sparta with her former husband.
Eurydice and Orpheus
The story of Eurydice and Orpheus is another classic myth with many interpretations and retellings. In the tale, Orpheus is a skilled musician who falls in love with the beautiful Eurydice. Despite the happiness of their initial marriage, it is prophesied to be short and tragic. While in the forest, Eurydice is bitten by a poisonous snake and dies.
Orpheus is overcome with grief and plays his sorrows on his lyre so the entire world can hear. He decides to descend into the underworld to retrieve his beloved. They strike a bargain that Orpheus may retrieve Eurydice, but only if she follows behind him on their ascent through the underworld without him glancing back at her.
Only steps away from the top of their climb, Orpheus cannot overcome his desire to see his wife and turns around. Eurydice is then unable to leave the underworld. Although Orpheus tries to return to the underworld to see his wife, he can only do so through death.
Philemon and Baucis
Philemon and Baucis are a married couple living in a humble home in Greece. They are visited by Zeus and Hermes in disguise and are the only ones in their village to welcome them into their household. They serve their Gods food and drink, and soon realize they are divine. While Hermes and Zeus destroy the rest of the village due to their lack of hospitality, they spare Philemon and Baucis.
Their cottage is turned into a temple, and the couple requests that they be allowed to guard it. They also ask that they be allowed to die simultaneously so that they would not live without each other. Zeus grants these wishes and transforms them into trees that grow side by side upon their deaths.
Learn about love through the support of a counselor
Throughout these ancient stories, themes of love, loss, marriage, and betrayal run strong. In the present day, as in the ancient world, romance can be a confusing topic. If you're struggling with romantic relationships and need help, plenty of resources are available. Online therapy may be a beneficial tool for couples looking for support. You can find therapists from anywhere with an internet connection and don't have to leave home to attend a session.
Couples therapy has been proven to benefit 70% of those who choose to get help. Whether you're seeking professional help or just need a person with whom to talk, online therapy options such as BetterHelp have a variety of therapists available who specialize in romance, relationships, and more.
Takeaway
What are the 7 Greek love words?
The ancient Greeks had several words to describe different types of love, each with its own nuanced meaning. While there isn't a universally agreed-upon list of "7 Greek love words," here are some of the most commonly discussed Greek words for love:
- Agape: Agape is often described as unconditional, selfless love. It is a love that transcends romantic or familial love and is often associated with a deep, spiritual, or divine love.
- Eros: Eros represents love based on romance or passion. It is the love associated with desire and physical attraction.
- Philia: Philia refers to platonic love or friendship. It's the love between friends and can also extend to a sense of community or camaraderie.
- Storge: Storge represents the love between individuals in the family, especially the love between parents and children. It's often characterized by natural affection and attachment.
- Pragma: Pragma is a type of love that is based on practicality and reason. It's the love that develops between couples who have been together for a long time and have built a deep understanding and commitment.
- Philautia: Philautia refers to self-love or self-esteem. It can be either a healthy form of self-love that promotes self-care and self-respect or a negative form when it becomes narcissistic and self-centered.
- Mania: Mania is often associated with obsessive or passionate love. It can be intense and overwhelming, sometimes to the point of irrationality.
These Greek words for love offer a more nuanced understanding of love than the single word "love" in English. Each word describes a different aspect or quality of love, and they can be combined to describe complex emotional experiences.
What is the Greek name of love?
The Greek language has several different words for love, each representing a different type or aspect of love. The most commonly known Greek words for love are:
- Agape
- Eros
- Philia
- Storge
- Pragma
- Philautia
What is the Greek origin of love?
The concept of love in Greek culture has ancient roots that can be traced back to classical Greek philosophy, literature, and mythology. The Greek word for love, "ἀγάπη" (agape), which is often associated with unconditional and selfless love, is derived from ancient Greek thought and has deep philosophical and cultural significance.
In Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Plato and Aristotle, love was a subject of profound exploration and contemplation. Plato, in his dialogues such as "Symposium" and "Phaedrus," discussed different forms of love, including both romantic and platonic love, and their philosophical implications. He saw love as a means of transcending the material world and connecting with a higher truth.
Aristotle, in his "Nicomachean Ethics," also delved into the concept of love, emphasizing the importance of friendship (philia) as a form of love and its role in achieving human flourishing and happiness.
Greek mythology further contributed to the understanding of love through stories of gods and mortals experiencing various forms of love and desire. For example, the goddess Aphrodite (Venus in Roman mythology) was associated with love and desire, and her myths often explored the complexities of romantic and sexual love.
What is the Latin name for love?
In Latin, the word for love is "amor." "Amor" can encompass various types of love, including romantic love, affection, and desire, similar to how the concept of love is understood in English. This Latin term has had a significant influence on the Romance languages, such as Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese, where derivatives of "amor" are still used to express love and affection.
What is Philo love?
"Philo" is a Greek word that means "friendship" or "brotherly love." It is derived from the Greek word "phílēma" (φίλημα), which refers to a kiss as a sign of affection and friendship.
In the context of love, "philo" is often used as a prefix to create words that describe various forms of love and affection. For example:
Philadelphia: This is often referred to as the "City of Brotherly Love." "Philadelphia" comes from the Greek words "philos" (meaning "friend") and "adelphos" (meaning "brother"). It represents the love and friendship between people, particularly in a community or city.
Philanthropy: This term is derived from "philos" (meaning "loving") and "anthropos" (meaning "human being"). "Philanthropy" refers to the love of humanity and the practice of giving and helping others, often through charitable donations or acts of kindness.
So, "philo" love is a type of love associated with friendship, affection, and a sense of camaraderie. It is characterized by warmth, goodwill, and a desire for positive interactions and relationships with others.
What Greek god is love?
In Greek mythology, the god associated with love is Eros (ἔρως). Eros is often depicted as a young and handsome god who represents not only romantic and passionate love but also desire, attraction, and affection. He is typically portrayed as a winged deity armed with a bow and arrows, and he is believed to shoot these arrows into the hearts of gods and mortals, causing them to fall in love.
Eros's role in Greek mythology is significant, and he is often considered the personification of love itself, particularly the aspect of love that involves intense attraction and desire. He is sometimes referred to as "Cupid" in Roman mythology, where his attributes and characteristics are largely similar.
What is the name love in Hebrew?
In Hebrew, the word for love is "אַהֲבָה" (ahavah). This term can have meaning that encompasses various forms of love, including romantic love, affection, and deep care for others. It is an important concept in Hebrew culture and is frequently used in both religious and secular contexts to express love and devotion.
What Greek god means love?
In Greek mythology, the god of love is Eros. Eros is often depicted as a young and beautiful deity, typically portrayed as a winged god armed with a bow and arrows. He represents the concept of love, particularly romantic and passionate love, as well as desire, attraction, and flirting. Eros is associated with the powerful force that causes individuals to fall in love and experience intense emotions of desire and longing. His Roman counterpart is Cupid.
What is God's love called?
In Christian theology, the love of God is often referred to as "agape." Agape is a Greek word that signifies selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial love. It is considered the highest form of love and is used to describe the love that God and Jesus Christ have for humanity and the love that Christians are encouraged to show to one another.
The concept of God's agape love emphasizes that God's love is not based on conditions or merit but is freely given to all people. It is a love that seeks the best for others and is characterized by compassion, grace, and a desire for the well-being of all creation. This idea of God's agape love is prominent in Christian theology and is a central theme in the New Testament of the Bible.
What is love in ancient Greek?
In ancient Greek, the word for love depends on the type or context of love you are referring to. The ancient Greeks had several words to describe different aspects and types of love. Here are some of the key Greek words for love:
Agape: This is often translated as "unconditional love" or "divine love." It is a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others without expecting anything in return. It is associated with the love of God for humanity in Christian theology.
Philia: This word represents the concept of platonic love or friendship. It is the love between friends and is characterized by loyalty, camaraderie, and affection.
Eros: Eros refers to passionate, romantic, or sexual love. It is often associated with desire and physical attraction.
Storge: Storge is a type of love that relates to familial or parental affection. It is the love between individuals in the family, such as the love a parent has for their child.
Pragma: Pragma is often referred to as "enduring love" or "mature love." It represents the love that develops over time in a long-term relationship or marriage. It is characterized by patience, understanding, and compromise.
Philautia: Philautia represents self-love or love of the self. It can be healthy (self-esteem and self-care) or unhealthy (narcissism and arrogance), depending on how it is expressed.
These different words for love in ancient Greek capture the nuanced and multifaceted nature of human emotions and relationships, each emphasizing a different aspect or context of love.
- Previous Article
- Next Article