Black Eagle Books

Eros and Thanatos Black Eagle Books

In Greek mythology, Eros was the Greek god of love and sex. In the Theogony of Hesiod (700 BCE), Eros was a primeval god, son of Chaos(the original primeval emptiness of the universe) but later tradition made him the son of Aphrodite(goddess of sexual love and beauty) by either Zeus (the king of the gods), Ares (god of war and of battle), or Hermes (divine messenger of the gods). Eros was a god not simply of passion but also of fertility. His brother was Anteros( the god of mutual love) who was sometimes described as his opponent. The chief associates of Eros were Pothos and Himeros (Longing and Desire). Roman counterpart of Eros was Cupid . Eros has the ability to make mortals and gods fall in love by shooting them with his bow and arrow. This would work on both mortals and gods. Thanatos, in ancient Greek religion and mythology, was the personification of death. Hesiod thought that Thanatos was the son of the Nyx (goddess of the night) and the Erebus (god of darkness). This makes Thanatos dark and negative. His twin brother is Hypnos, the god of sleep. He appeared to humans to carry them off to the underworld when the time allotted to them by the Fates had expired. It is believed Thanatos to be always nearby Eros. They are brothers. One represents the life and creation and another death and destruction. In Greek mythology, Eros is the god of love, and Thanatos is the god of death, making them opposite of one another. Eros is portrayed as nice, compassionate, loving, and full of life. This is how Eros came to represent the instinct of life. People who are driven by life instincts are often happy, compassionate, and social. Thanatos is associated with violent death and would be called upon by gods who wished to inflict death upon one another. Thanatos often manifested anger, violence, and aggression. These characteristics are portrayed in those who are driven by death instincts.

This collection has 69 poems. Under Eros 35 and under Thanatos 34.