Excuse me, do you have any texts about the symbolism of Ares and Aphrodite? I would REALLY like to know. Whether it's a primary or academic source :-D
Besides the obvious love ā war and love + war = harmony? I really enjoy Platoās Symposiumās take on them:
āWe all agree that temperance is a control of pleasures and desires, while no pleasure is stronger than Love: if they are the weaker, they must be under Love's control, and he is their controller; so that Love, by controlling pleasures and desires, must be eminently temperate. And observe how in valor ānot even the God of War withstandsā him; for we hear, not of Love caught by Ares, but of Ares caught by Love ā of Aphrodite. The captor is stronger than the caught; and as he controls what is braver than any other, he must be bravest of all.ā
In the words of Lana Del Rey: yeah my boyfriendās pretty cool, but heās not as cool as me.
This one is less symbolical and more about lived religion, but, me being me, I have to include a female author in this. Hereās a gem:
āSulpicia is dressed for you, great Mars, on your Calends.
Come from the sky to see her yourself, if you are wise.
Venus will overlook this. But impetuous as you are, be careful
you donāt drop your weapons in shameful amazement.ā
- Sulpicia (late C1st B.C), poem 9
Translation: Mars, I dressed so nicely for your festival, you should see how hot I look! Venus will allow you a peek šš
Regarding academia about them, Iāll always recommend The Origin of Aphrodite by Stephanie Lynn Budin. She explores Aphroditeās creation in Cyprus and how her links to Hephaestus and Ares may come from āthe association with gods linked to bronze and warfareā (p. 177). For less archeological stuff, I really like this analysis! (but take all of this with a grain of salt because Iām literally a rando on the internet): https://www.maverickscience.com/wp-content/uploads/Ares-and-Aphrodite.pdf
"āAll that he [Homer] hath said of Venus and Mars his passion, is also manifestly composed from no other source than this science [astrology]. Indeed, it is the conjuncture of Venus and Mars that creates the poetry of Homer.ā
ā[Venus is] the star which in poetry enjoys a close association with Aphrodite and with the marriage ceremonial.ā
āBlessed Queen of Heavenā¦celestial Venus, now adored at sea-girt Paphos, who at the time of the first Creation coupled the sexes in mutual love.ā
Men are from Mars and women are from Venus. Most modern readers are familiar with this adage, but very few, I suspect, are aware that such ideas were already old hat by the time of Homer. Indeed, such conceptions go back to the very dawn of human civilization."