When was cupid born

Long before the Romans adopted and renamed him—and way before his association with Valentine's Day —Cupid was known to the Greeks as Eros, the handsome god of love. One of the first authors to mention Eros circa B. But later accounts of the lineage of Eros vary, describing him as the son of Nyx and Erebus; or Aphrodite and Ares; or Iris and Zephyrus; or even Aphrodite and Zeus—who would have been both his father and grandfather.

Armed with a bow and a quiver filled with both golden arrows to arouse desire and leaden arrows to ignite aversion, Eros struck at the hearts of gods and mortals and played with their emotions.

In one story from ancient Greek mythology , which was later retold by Roman authors, Cupid Eros shot a golden arrow at Apollo, who fell madly in love with the nymph Daphne, but then launched a leaden arrow at Daphne so she would be repulsed by him. Instead, Cupid became so enamored with Psyche that he married her—with the condition that she could never see his face.

After roaming the known world in search of her lover, Psyche was eventually reunited with Cupid and granted the gift of immortality. By Rachel E. Statue of Eros, 2nd century. Roman, after a Greek original of the first half of the 4th century BC.

Found in the collection of The Hermitage, St Petersburg. Venus and Cupid, circa 18th century. Painting in Brodsworth Hall, South Yorkshire. Artist Unknown. Valentine's Day card, featuring a childlike Cupid, circa s. Related Stories. Already a print subscriber? Go here to link your subscription. Need help?

So how did a baby become such a big part of February 14th? In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. And he is known as the god of affection.

Legend has it that Cupid shoots magical gold-tipped arrows at gods and humans alike. By piercing their heart with an arrow, he causes individuals to fall deeply in love.