Editing Anchises (section)

== The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite ==
[[File:Aphrodisias Museum Anchises and Aphrodite 4649.jpg|thumbnail|Aphrodite reveals baby Aeneas to Anchises (1st century AD)]]
The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite details how Aphrodite seduced Anchises.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite|last=Unknown}}</ref> It begins by describing how only the three virgin goddesses ([[Athena]], [[Artemis]], and [[Hestia]]) are immune to Aphrodite's powers.<ref name=":0" /> She has made gods and goddesses fall in love with mortals.<ref name=":0" /> Not even [[Zeus]] was able to escape her powers and to put her in her place, he caused her to lust after the handsome mortal Anchises.<ref name=":0" />

Aphrodite first happens upon Anchises on the hills of Mount Ida, where he is grazing his cattle.<ref name=":0" /> Anchises is described as having the beauty of an immortal.<ref name=":0" /> Aphrodite goes to Cyprus and bathes.<ref name=":0" /> Then she returns to the [[Troad]] disguised as a mortal, and finds Anchises alone in a hut.<ref name=":0" /> When Anchises first sees Aphrodite, he is convinced that she is a goddess, a grace, or a nymph.<ref name=":0" /> She convinces him that she is a Phrygian princess and that [[Hermes]] brought her there to marry Anchises.<ref name=":0" /> Anchises is overcome with desire for her and declares that he must have her immediately, and the two of them make love.<ref name=":0" />

After they have sex, Aphrodite puts Anchises into a deep sleep and dresses herself.<ref name=":0" /> When she is finished dressing, she wakes him up and reveals herself to him.<ref name=":0" /> When Anchises realizes her identity, he is terrified and full of regret and says that no good comes from sleeping with a goddess.<ref name=":0" /> Aphrodite comforts him by telling him that she will bear him a son by the name of [[Aeneas]], who will be respected among the Trojans and whose offspring will prosper.<ref name=":0" /> To further comfort Anchises, she goes on to tell him about two relationships: the relationship between Zeus and [[Ganymede (mythology)|Ganymede]], and the relationship between [[Eos]] and [[Tithonus]].<ref name=":0" /> Both relationships are between an immortal and a mortal who survives the relationship. She then details how their son will be raised by nymphs until he is five years old, at which time she will bring Aeneas to him.<ref name=":0" /> Then she leaves, warning him not to reveal that she is the mother of his child or Zeus will smite him.<ref name=":0" />