Υμήν ώ Υμέναι' ώ

Welcome to my home. I am Hymenaios – sometimes called Hymenaeus or Hymen – and one of the host of Erotes who serve Aphrodite. Some say I am Aphrodite’s son by Dionysos (and therefore full brother to Priapus), although I am more usually described as the son of Apollo and one of the Muses, either Kalliope, Ourania, or Terpsikhore. There are other stories of my origins too, which you may read about in my Courtyard.

All of the Erotes personify some aspect of love or eroticism, and I am the god of marriage ceremonies, feasts and songs, or any union like a marriage. Any wedding I don’t attend is liable to prove disastrous, but even if I do attend, happiness is not absolutely guaranteed, as poor Orpheus and Eurydike could attest…

I am usually represented as a winged and effeminately beautiful youth –somewhat taller and with a more serious expression than my often giddy companion Eros – wearing saffron robes and carrying either a torch to light the bridal procession, or a lute with which to sing the hymenaios, wedding hymn.

In my Cosmogony room you can read some of the speculations upon my origins – is it ironic that for a god of the marriage bed my own parentage is open to question? *laughs* – and my own loves. In the Stoa you will find several stories relating to me. And finally in the Hall of the Erotes you may meet the rest of the Erotes, the divine host that attends Aphrodite. Thank you for visiting my home!

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