Aphrodite of the Gardens



Aphrodite of the Gardens (Ἀφροδίτη ἐν κήποις) is an epithet of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The epithet describes her patronage over vegetation and garden fertility.

According to Pausanias, there was a sanctuary of Aphrodite of the Gardens near the Ilisos river, holding a famous cult statue of Aphrodite by Alcamenes and a herm of Aphrodite near the temple. It is unsure whether the statue of Aphrodite and the herm of Aphrodite were the same sculpture or two separate sculptures.

The herm of Aphrodite may be linked to the later mythological character, Hermaphroditos. There are numerous references to a male aspect of Aphrodite, called Aphroditos, which was imported to Athens from Cyprus in the late 5th century BC and also a temple of Hermaphroditos was spoken of by Alciphron at Athens.