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The worship of Aphrodite was probably of Semitic origin, but was early introduced into Greece. The Aphrodite of Homer and Hesiod displays both Oriental and Grecian characteristics. Among the Phœnicians Venus is known as Astarte, among the Assyrians as Istar. There were temples and groves dedicated to Venus in many places, and in some of them—Paphos for instance—gorgeous annual festivals were held. The festival of Venus that was celebrated in Rome in April was called the Veneralia.
Sapho calls Aphrodite the "star-throned, incorruptible, wile-weaving child of Zeus."
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One of the many myths connected with Venus was that of Berenice who, fearing for her husband's life, prayed to the goddess to protect him as he set out to battle. She vowed to give her beautiful hair as a sacrifice to Venus if he returned home in safety. The prayer was granted, and Berenice's luxuriant tresses were laid on the goddess's shrine, whence they soon mysteriously disappeared. When an astrologer was consulted in regard to the supposed theft, he pointed to a comet in the sky, and declared that the gods had placed Berenice's hair among the stars to shine forever in memory of her wifely sacrifice.
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References and allusions to Cupid abound in poetry. A few of the best-known poems are:—
| Eros | Edmund Gosse |
| Ode to Psyche | John Keats |
| The Lost Eros | Thomas Ashe |
| The Unknown Eros | Coventry Patmore |
| Story of Cupid and Psyche | William Morris |
| Hue and Cry After Cupid | Ben Jonson |
The following is a charming little poem by John Lyly:—