A book revealing the real identity of this god armed with bow and arrows. A series of unforgettable images unveils the real face of Eros in Ancient Art.
Essays written by eminent experts outline the figure of Eros in classical antiquity: primeval cosmic entity, ordering principle of the universe, incarnation of the power of love, organizer of social relations, metaphorical and religious allegory. Although having been depicted millions of time, the “bittersweet” god is maybe the less definite in his divine essence, the one who appears less often in mythological narrative. This catalogue – richly illustrated with images of the masterpieces of Ancient Art on display – explores the different and sometimes opposing aspects of his nature: from the relationship with Aphrodite and Dionysus, to his role of “organizer” and educator in the Greek society through the institution of homosexuality and marriage, to the allegories created about his character in Plato’s Symposium and in the tale of Psyche.