Aphrodite (called Venus by the Romans) was the god of love and beauty. Aphrodite was born from the foam of the sea, rising naked on a scallop shell and stepping first on the island of Cythera. Cythera was sandy and rocky with few flowers and birds, but as soon as Aphrodite set foot on it, it starteds to bloom. But the goddess didn't find it suitable for her, so she moved to Cyprus. Zeus saw Aphrodite and thinking she was the most beautiful creature he had ever saw, took her to Olympus. When Zeus brought Aphrodite home, Hera saw her beauty and told Zeus to marry her off immediatly or there would be fights over her beauty. Poseidon, Apollo, and Hermes all offered her riches and powers, but in the end she married Hephaestus. Aphrodite knew that with Hephaustus as her husband, she would be able to have many affarirs without him knowing. She did have many affairs and soon after her marraige she had three children. The father was not Hephaestus but Ares. Aphrodite was often considered a dangerous and spiteful goddess. She is never found showing the slightest respect or friendship for a woman.