Who is Eros in mythology, not the god of love?

Question

I need to know who Eros is. There are two Eroses in Greek mythology. The other is Aphrodite's son and is often depicted a winged boy and husband of Psyche. I need information on the original Eros who came from chaos.

Answer 1

Ancient Greek mythology changed over time. It's not that there are multiple Eroses but rather one Eros that had an evolving form depending on the region/period. For example, in the eight century BC Hesiod wrote in Theogony that Eros was born from Chaos and was, in a vague way, the god/force of desire. Over time, Eros became more anthropomorphic (person-like) and, depending on the text, was either a handsome young god (as in the Psyche myth) or a young cherubim-type character. As for the original Eros it maintained its meaning in some circles. Perhaps the best dissertation on this is in Plato's Symposium, in which multiple perspectives on Eros are fleshed out by a couple well-known figures of the time.

Answer 2

The original Eros who came from Chaos was also a love deity, but love in a different form than the later Eros. Original Eros was often portrayed as a handsome, winged young man. He was the god of primordial love. His second form, as Aphrodite's son, is often portrayed as easily recognized Cupid. He was the one with the arrows who created love at first sight, and is often portrayed as a fat winged baby. Therefore, original Eros was more concerned with real love, while later Eros dealt more-so with lust.

Answer 3

The Protogenos (primordial deity) Eros was god of sexual desire/procreation.

Answer 4

WRONG FORUM