Anteros

Greek god of requited or returned love (counter-love) and the avenger of slighted love, counted among the children of Ares and Aphrodite (Cicero names him son of Mars and Venus). Given as a playmate to his lonely brother Eros so that love might be answered if it is to prosper (Plato, Phaedrus). At Athens an altar of Anteros stood, dedicated by resident aliens after the death of Timagoras, whom the Athenian Meles had spurned (Pausanias 1.30.1).

Parentage

• parent: Ares
• parent: Aphrodite

Domains

• requited love

Relations

• sibling: ErosEros could not grow until Anteros, counter-love, was given to him as playmate; the two are paired as the twin Loves.Plat. Phaedr. 255d-e; Paus. 1.30.1 (primary)
• sibling: PhobosCic. Nat. D. 3.59-60 with Hes. Theog. 933-937 (Ares-Aphrodite offspring) (secondary)
• sibling: DeimosCic. Nat. D. 3.59-60 with Hes. Theog. 933-937 (Ares-Aphrodite offspring) (secondary)
• sibling: HarmoniaCic. Nat. D. 3.59-60 with Hes. Theog. 933-937 (secondary)

Sources

• existence: Plato, Phaedrus 255d-e; Cicero, De Natura Deorum 3.59-60; Pausanias 1.30.1, 6.23.3-5; Ovid, Fasti (the twin Loves) (primary)
• parentage: Cicero, De Natura Deorum 3.59-60 (son of Mars and Venus) (primary)