Per maiden symbolizing a beneficial deity try with her very own companion
Homeric Hymn 5 so you can Aphrodite 78 ff (trans. Evelyn-White) (Greek impressive C7th so you can 4th B.C.) : “Aphrodite, the child away from Zeus endured ahead of your [Ankhises (Anchises)], being like a natural maiden high and you will mien, that he shouldn’t be terrified as he got follow of the lady along with his attention. 
Now when Ankhises spotted the lady, he noted her well and you may pondered within the lady mien and you can peak and you can shining clothing. Having she was clothed for the a gown out-glowing new brightness away from flames, an outstanding gown off gold, enriched with all of manner of needlework, and therefore shimmered including the moonlight more than the lady delicate breasts, a wonder to see. . . [afterwards she shown their genuine divine top and you will mien] along with her direct reached toward really-hewn rooftop-tree; of this lady cheeks shone unearthly charm particularly is part of steeped-crowned Kythereia (Cytherea). . . [and] as he [Ankhises] saw new shoulder and you will charming attention out-of Aphrodite, he was frightened and turned into his eyes out another way, concealing their comely deal with together with his cloak.”
Plus she wore turned brooches and radiant earrings on the means from flowers; and bullet the girl silky throat was in fact charming rings
Homeric Hymn six so you can Aphrodite six ff : “The new Horai (Horae, Seasons) outfitted their [Aphrodite] which have heavenly garments: on her lead it put a superb, well-wrought top out-of silver, and also in their pierced ears they strung trinkets from orichalc and you can dear silver, and adorned her with fantastic jewellery more than the woman mellow shoulder and you can snow-white bust, gems that silver-filleted Horai wear on their own.”
Philostratus younger, Imagines 8 (trans. Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C3rd A.D.) : “[Out of a reason off an effective Greek paint:] About three goddesses updates close her or him–they want no interpreter to share with who they are . . . another one to [Aphrodite] despite the decorate reveals brand new ‘laughter-loving’ (philomeides) vibe due to the new secret regarding the girl girdle.”
Apuleius, Brand new Wonderful Butt 10. 31 ff (trans. Walsh) (Roman book C2nd A good.D.) : “[Off a conclusion of a historical Greek play depicting the fresh Judgement from Paris:] After him or her a 3rd woman registered, their charm noticeably unsurpassed. The woman pleasant, ambrosia-for example complexion intimated that she portrayed the earlier Venus [Aphrodite] when one goddess was still a great maiden. She vaunted the woman untouched charm of the lookin nude and you can topless but to own a slimmer silken apparel veiling the woman entrancing down parts. A fascinated gust of heavens manage in the that second that have somewhat lubricous passion strike which garment aside, to ensure that whenever wafted away it found the woman virgin bloom; on other moment it might wantonly inhale personally onto it, clinging firmly and you may clearly discussing the fresh new satisfying prospect of the lady lower limbs. The fresh goddess’s appearance considering evaluating colours toward attention, on her behalf human anatomy is actually magnificent white, intimating the woman lineage of paradise along with her robe try navy blue, denoting the woman development in the ocean . . . . . Venus [Aphrodite] is surrounded by a-throng of happiest children; might enjoys bound that people nothing people whoever peels was basically simple and you will milk-light had been legitimate Cupides [Erotes] who had just flown when you look at the away from sky or water. They searched just he spend the smaller wings, miniature arrows, in addition to remainder of their score-up, just as in gleaming torches they lit the way due to their domme as if she was basically en route to a wedding-meal. Second floated when you look at the charming pupils, solitary girls, representing on one side brand new Gratiae [Charites, Graces] during the their most graceful, as well as on another the fresh new Horae [Horai] in every their charm. These people were appeasing the new deity from the strewing wreaths and you may unmarried blooms before the woman, and additionally they designed a most elegant chorus-range because they sought for so you’re able to delight the fresh new Mistress out-of pleasures that have this new foliage out of springtime. The flutes using their of several ends up were today leaving in the nice equilibrium tunes regarding Lydian means. Because they affectingly softened the brand new minds away from onlookers, Venus [Aphrodite] still a lot more affectingly began to lightly blend herself; with steady, lingering procedures, controlled swaying of pelvis, and sluggish choice of your head she started to get better, this lady subdued movements coordinating this new mellow wounds of one’s flutes. From time to time the woman vision by yourself perform dance, due to the fact in the one to moment she gently reduced her lids, and at another imperiously signalled having threatening looks.”