#polyphonte

Polyphonte

Now we know of her from few sources (Antoninus is the only one that comes to mind). Now Antoninus seems to be very clear as to why Polyphonte caused the wrath of Aphrodite. It wasn't just that Polyphonte was "not interested in marriage" and "just wanted to follow Artemis". Her actual crime was that she mocked/insulted the works of Aphrodite (αὕτη τὰ μὲν ἔργα τῆς Ἀφροδίτης ἐξύβρισεν) She didn't just reject Aphrodite and her works on earth, she straight out mocked the goddess and her devices on earth (ἐξύβρισεν) hence she committed hubris against the goddess of love. Aphrodite was enraged that her importance was mocked (ὅτι αὐτῆς ἠτίμασε τὰ ἔργα) so she sent her very own devices against her in the form of nemesis and that passion she scorned so much, became her downfall. Aphrodite made her feel an insatiable and unnatural passion for a bear which she also somehow managed to satisfy, because her very nature changed and she also went into heat (οἰστρήσασα) which probably also attracted the bear to her.

Now as we know anything that comes from a godless union is bound to bear a bad fruit. Hence when she gave birth (and she was rescued thanks to Ares who was her ancestor), to two children that didn't respect the gods, that were "beastly of nature" (and this nature is also mirrored by their very names Agrius-> Ἄγριος= Wild and Oreius-> Ὄρειος= Of the Mountains) which brought the generational curse and hubris upon them and anyone associated with them. Zeus called for their punishment for not respecting the laws of the gods and performing unholy deeds and hence they all transformed to birds. The maid though prayed that if she were to be transformed, to get a lenient punishment because she was following orders which is also why her transformation as a woodpecker according to this source is a bird that tells good news.

In this story essentially it is first and foremost stated that no matter which god draws you in the most and whether or not you choose to follow them and their deeds, all gods are to be respected and not mocked just because people do not agree with their deeds or that they have their own human and narrow perspective (similar to the boast of Niobe to say she is better than Leto only because she has more children.

Secondly it serves as a symbolic warning to people who read it that not all passion is good (obviously people claim to "fall in love" with animals is not good or praised thing but is recognized that the works of Aphrodite might as well involve such passions which is usually a result of a twisted mind (and Polyphonte insulting one of the gods is inheritance twisted for those standards)

It also shows that just because one is loyal to one god doesn't guarantee someone total salvation when they commit crimes against the gods. Artemis wouldn't just forgive a monstrous act just because the one performing it said that they adore her (but also symbolically shows that nature is very clear; humans do not mate with beasts. This is an unnatural act so nature -what Artemis represents- retaliates)

Aphrodite also is shown for the terrible power she possesses. That "love" is not just some happy lovey dovey occasion when schoolboys and schoolgirls do the lovey eyes to each other. The true power of passion, lust and love is truly catastrophic. Aphrodite made the strongest point of all; that if you mock love as something insignificant, it is the last mistake you shall ever make.

That your behavior should be different from your bad nature (but most of the time it isn't). It serves also as symbolism that can be used today. I mean obviously not with the genetic essence as sometimes it happened in antiquity but in essence of psychology. If you live in a bad environment you theoretically do have the ability to be better and different, oftentimes it doesn't happen. Agrios and Oreios basically acted out according to their nature instead of being better. It was their actions and very nature that drove them to their doom. In one way Ares and Hermes (protectors of youth) have them a choice; to get a second chance and be better. They didn't take it.

So it is not as cut and clear as for instance that Aphrodite has "something to win" but rather that Polyphonte's behavior and her punishment are a cause and effect. She mocked a goddess so she found destruction by that said goddess (provoking fate sometimes brings fate upon you). Aphrodite also makes a strong point on how important is to honor her and respect her because her power is much stronger than what anyone thinks. Symbolically it also signifies that passion and love are part of everyone's life and mocking them is like mocking the essence of human nature hence also whoever doesn't recognize human nature, loses their humanity. It also shows how one's family determines their own behavior and how one's behavior regardless of source or reason, has its own consequences. That people always have the choice to be better regardless and that they do have the opportunity to make the right choice.

Hope this makes sense hehehehe Now comes the hard part!

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Hippolytus

Now this is much more complicated for me because of the great number of sources that mention the myth and sometimes with contradictory essences. Apollodorous for instance in his Epitome doesn't mention Aphrodite's wrath but rather that Phaedra simply fell in love with her stepson (something that is considered gray zone till unlawful depending on the source but it is mostly negative to my knowledge) and makes advances towards him which Hippolytus rejects which leads to Phaedra to falsely accuse him for rape and make him become a fugitive. His death occurs by the crushing of his chariot because Theseus prayed to Poseidon that he should perish and Poseidon heard his prayer and sent bulls to scare the horses that drove the chariot Hippolytus was on. Now why would the gods listen to him you may ask. I mean surely if Hippolytus was innocent (and he was innocent for the assault) why would the gods cause his death? Well one reason is that Poseidon reciprocated the wish that he owed to Theseus but I think there is another reason I believe one can see from one tiny mention of Apollodorous. That Hippolytus didn't deflect her because her passion was unlawful but because he hated all women (ὁ δὲ μισῶν πάσας γυναῖκας τὴν συνουσίαν ἔφυγεν). So his problem was not passion that was unlawful but that he was guilty, ironically, for being as per Apollodorous, misogynist (μισῶν πάσας γυναῖκας). So it seems almost like irony that he found his death by a woman who loved him. (But honestly, I just think that Apollodorous was once more speaking about the oath of chastity that Hippolytus wanted to give but why he said "he hates all women" instead of "not wishing to lay with any woman" is beyond me hahahaha Maybe Apollodorous gave us another reason as per why Hippolytus wanted to remain chaste.) The death of both Phaedra (by suicide) and Hippolytus (by the godly intervention and accident) seem to also fall on Theseus for killing the Amazon Antiope (and in some versions Hippolyte herself) that bore him Hippolytus in the first place (either unlawfully by murdering her at the very wedding feast with Phaedra or in battle) But essentially Apollodorous gives us a story where both Phaedra and Hippolytus have a very serious flaw that make them lawful ironically on opposite ends of the spectrum; one is an unnatural love and the other overall hate. -> Diodorous seems to partially agree with this but he omits the element of the involvement of Poseidon. -> Hyginus even mentions how Phaedra lies to Theseus in a letter and then hangs herself so that Hippolytus would have no mean to help himself or make her confess (something supported by Diodorous himself too) -> Plutarch mentions how Phaedra tried even to use medicine and drugs on Hippolytus to force herself upon him but he reflected her and ran off to Troezen. Phaedra wrote to Theseus to accuse Hippolytus -> Philostratus also seems to say that in his Imagines. The death of Hippolytus in this case seems more a punishment for Theseus and Phaedra than anything else (one because he believed a false story and the other for unlawful passion)

Tzetzes also gives us a different variation of this story. He claims a tradition around Aphrodite, true, but mostly about her name "Troezenian Aphrodite" because of a temple Phaedra made to Aphrodite in Troezena. Phaedra made that temple, naming it "Erotic" because she could not restrain Hippolytus. Her passion was so strong that she fell ill and a nurse of hers told her to reveal it (possibly to heal herself). She refused and instead she tried to heal her passion with several drugs and medicine (ἡ δὲ φαρμάχοις τισὶ βουλομένη λῦσαι τὸν ἔρωτα αὐτῆς) but she failed. So she tried another method and that would be to, she finally went to Hippolytus (εἰσῆλϑε παρὰ τὸν “Ιπτόλυτον) who repelled her because "he couldn't accept her word" (μὴ δεξάμενος τὸ ταύτης ῥῆμα ἀπεδίωξεν αὐτὴν) so did he repel her because he truly didn't want to be involved in an unlawful relationship or simply because he didn't want to listen to her? It is hard to tell. Tzetzes says that Phaedra hanged herself because "she knew herself" (γνοῦσα ἑαυτὴν) which possibly indicates that she knew she desired him so much that she would never be free and therefore killed herself. Now why did she find no consolation? Well for once because she WAS trying to satisfy an unlawful passion but also, in my opinion because her reasoning behind making that temple is not very clear. Did she make the temple to heal herself as she tried with drugs or was it because something in the back of her head hoped that this offering to Aphrodite would bring her beloved to her? Perhaps

So in most of these versions, Phaedra seems to just falling in love with Hippolytus and sinning by either trying to fulfill her desire or for even having it in the first place (or that she has waaaaay too much passion which is not something decent to think of) Pausanias for instance mentions even a story in which Phaedra, maddened by her lust was letting off steam in a myrtle bush (ἐς ταύτης τὰ φύλλα ἐσιναμώρει τῆς μυρσίνης). Myrtle also known as myrtus communis in latin is a plant known for its connection to Aphrodite and was believed to have aphrodisiac effects and was one of the wedding associated plants

so yeah, combining this piece of information with the above, Phaedra seems to be using the effect of the myrtle to settle her desire with (yeah probably the way someone can imagine! given that the verb σιναμωρέω stands for "to destroy something wantonly" and συνάμωρος is someone who is mischievous or hurtful)

In all of these sources Hippolytus is being depicted as guiltless, victim to his stepmother's passion and wanton attentions and falsely accused for rape or assault and his death, when occurs, it seems to be more an indirect punishment towards Theseus for his own sins of the past rather than a punishment for Hippolytus himself. In one version Artemis is even furious for his death and demands this to be rectified. In one or two sources it is Asclepius himself that brings the young man back to life.

Malalas gives a totally different idea. He speaks on the deaths of Hippolytus and Phaedra (even gives us an age mark for the death of Hippolytus, age 22 and of Phaedra, age 39). In his version there was nothing improper at all! He mentions how Phaedra and Hippolytus were rumored to be in love and having an affair because they were both so beautiful. Theseus was enraged by rumors occurring around his son and Phaedra so he cursed him to die but he was devastated by his death and so he told everything to Phaedra who said the rumors were false but Theseus didn't believe her and banished her while mourning in regret the death of his son whom he loved so much. Phaedra being ashamed for such rumors tarnishing her name and her husband banishing her, she killed herself.

I am sorry for the veeeeeeeeery long and unneeded intro to other sources that are not totally compatible with your question! Anyhow!

Philostratus to his work "Life of Apollonius of Tyana" gives us one first idea on why Hippolytus had to suffer the goddess's wrath. The story is being told as an example when a young man named Timasion explains how his stepmother had tried to pursue him erotically and when he rejected her advances, she insulted him saying he is effeminate and that he prefers the sexual love of pederasts than women. Timasion is asked by Apollonius if he sacrifices to Aphrodite and he says that yes every day because "he believes she is a goddess goddess has great influence in human and divine affairs" (πολλὴν γὰρ ἡγοῦμαι τὴν θεὸν ῾ἐν᾽ ἀνθρωπείοις τε καὶ θείοις πράγμασιν) which essentially is the very essence of why her wrath is so important. Once again we see the aspect that Hippolytus insulted her (τὴν Ἀφροδίτην ὕβρισε) and his punishment was not to feel love or passion for anyone at all (οὐδὲ ἀφροδισίων ἥττητο, οὐδὲ ἔρως ἐπ᾽ αὐτὸν οὐδεὶς ἐκώμαζεν). He insulted the goddess of love so in a way his punishment was not to feel any love but also that his doom was to happen by an act of love. Hippolytus himself was also someone that was living without love and therefore without essence of humanity but lived a life out in the wild and somehow he was allotted an austere and unbending nature (ἦν τῆς ἀγροικοτέρας τε καὶ ἀτέγκτου μοίρας)

The primary and very dramatic source of Hippolytus and his fate and of course the love of Phaedra for him come from Euripides and his tragedy by the name of the protagonist

Athaneus and his Deipnosophists, again brings the matter of hubris up based on this play. Basically he states how in Euripides the aspect of honoring Aphrodite is the most important piece. Hippolytus not honoring Aphrodite was the worst mistake because not even Artemis could save him. He mentions how he had literally every other virtue but the honoring of Aphrodite (τὴν πᾶσαν ἀρετὴν ἔχοντι τοῦτο μόνον τὸ ἁμάρτημα προσόν, ὅτι οὐκ ἐτίμα τὴν Ἀφροδίτην). Not honoring Aphrodite is much deeper than just not having children or not getting married. It means you do not value the power of love and desire as human and as universal forces, which of course in one way means that one rejects one of the aspects of humanity. One should honor Aphrodite regardless of whether they want to fall in love or not in the essence that they need to honor Aphrodite's power even if it doesn't concern them directly. Hippolytus doesn't seem just negligent of Aphrodite, he seems straight out hateful towards her gifts, love and the upcoming marriage.

Now many have chosen to neglect Aphrodite and not wish to marry or fall in love and they all seem to have some adventure one way or another (Atalanta being an example of a woman that didn't wish to marry and hurt people in the process so eventually she was overpowered and married anyways). In one way the refusal of Hippolytus to accept marriage or his straight out disgust for it was what caused Aphrodite's irritation or rage depending on the source. In Euripides Aphrodite is irritated that Hippolytus swears chastity and refuses to accept and honor her. It seems that the play winks towards the fact that it is natural for men to marry, that chastity is not really something recommended or agreed upon by society for young people (roughly of course). It is mostly the symbolistic aspect (similar to the myth of Atalanta) that is proper for a young man to marry and continue the legacy of his parents instead of remaining unmarried forever. Ironically in this play Euripides doesn't seem to give Phaedra the same aspects as most myths do. In a similar aspect with Malalas, Phaedra of Euripides is enduring and her passion she feels is unlawful and wants to end herself before anything. Her initial thought is starvation. The nurses seem to advise her against it and even try to persuade Hippolytus to yield. It is when Hippolytus reacts with disgust to the proposition that Phaedra decides to hang herself in desperation. I find this interesting though given that Phaedra truly seems to be willing not to let this burning passion defile her and her husband and seems to be enduring but is interesting how she chose a slow death at first but once she was informed by her beloved one's utter disgust she ended herself quicker. Could it be that she was hoping even now that Hippolytus would yield and so when his disgust gave her an awakening she realized she was beyond any hope or saving and killed herself? Seems possible to me. Especially since we see the letter once more that seems to be binding Hippolytus with guilt.

The aspect of hubris in Euripides is clear on the aspect that Hipolytus thinks he is a better person because he has sworn chastity and more or less that he doesn't really take Aphrodite into account because of it or that he "sees her from afar" (πρόσωθεν αὐτὴν ἁγνὸς ὢν ἀσπάζομαι). Hippolytus claims that he doesn't honor a god that is worshiped at night (οὐδείς μ᾽ ἀρέσκει νυκτὶ θαυμαστὸς θεῶν.). He disrespects her because he thinks she is not worthy of his attention and that he worships Artemis and chastity instead

The two opposing forces "chastity vs passion" is always here especially since Artemis appears as the "deus ex machina" to bring Theseus to reality and make him realize his tragic mistake which leads to the tragic reconciliation before the death of Hippolytus

Aphrodite and Artemis being opposite forces is a consequence of the above. Artemis is one of the three goddesses (the other two being Athena and Hestia) that are unaffected by Aphrodite's power (aka romantic love and lust) and that leads Aphrodite have issues with them (Athena and Artemis) and often finding herself opposing them and they her. This rivalry is of course symbolic too given that as I said above love and passion are part of the human makeup and what makes people procreate too and continue their legacies. So for a mortal not accepting that importance is often complicated.

Phaedra seems to suffer needlessly for finding herself to crossfire of a mortal's hubris and an offended goddess but it is also in one way symbolistic to the whole aspect of Phaedra's love for Hippolytus in many sources that we saw above. Also her final desire to either have or destroy Hippolytus seems to be the reason why she is also not getting a redemption afterwards.

The play is also showcasing the passions and the issues of families especially in myth but consequently in reality too while also passing on an indirect message on how one can expect young women and men have actual passions to be completed

Symbolism aside what Aphrodite as the tragedy's character achieves essentially is a win against her rival Aphrodite (a win of passion over chastity, a win of something natural vs something potentially incomprehensible for someone of that time that a young man has no desire or no passion for anyone). Aphrodite also once more makes the strong point that her power over people is great and that love is not a small thing that someone can pass as harmless and that great disasters can and do happen in the name of love. That the borders between love and hate are also very blur sometimes and that love can easily be turned into hate