ADONIS (greek god of beauty and desire)

Aphrodite was in love with Adonis.^10,1 Dionysus is stated to have loved Adonis.¹ His presence caused Cytherea to experience intense madness.¹¹ Aphrodite hid the infant Adonis because of his exceptional beauty.⁴ She placed the infant in a chest to hide him from other gods.⁴ Aphrodite entrusted the hidden infant Adonis to Persephone's care.⁴ Persephone refused to return him after seeing him.⁴ Zeus ordered Adonis to spend parts of the year with Persephone and Aphrodite.⁴ Adonis gave his allotted time to Aphrodite, increasing her share of the year.⁴

Adonis tended his flock of sheep while roaming the hills.^2,11 He killed hares and pursued various wild animals.² Aphrodite warned Adonis to avoid dangerous wild animals, such as boars and lions.¹² She begged him not to attack armed beasts to prevent her suffering.¹² Artemis counsels him to fear wild beasts.¹² While fleeing towards a lettuce plant, Adonis was killed by a boar.¹³ Another account states he was killed by a boar while hunting due to Artemis's anger.⁴ He was found lying dead with disheveled hair and pale, ghastly cheeks.¹⁴ His body was half-dead and bathing in his own blood.⁷

Aphrodite hid the slain Adonis under a lettuce plant.¹³ She sprinkled his blood with nectar, transforming it into a flower.⁷ This flower has a short lifespan and falls easily.⁷ Aphrodite promised that Adonis's death would be commemorated annually.⁷ She continued to hold him closely even after his death.¹¹ Cypris kissed and bewailed Adonis in an oakwood.¹⁵ The lovers had often been seated together on soft grass beneath a large oak tree.¹⁶ Women planned to carry his body out to the breaking waves in the morning.³ They intended to sing a shrill sweet song while carrying him to the beach.³

Unlike other heroes, Adonis is said to return from the underworld to the living world.¹⁷ He uniquely travels between the world of the living and the stream of Acheron.¹⁷ He is described as a demigod who visits both the living world and the underworld.¹⁷ In the twelfth month, the dainty-footed Hours returned Adonis to Aphrodite from the stream of Acheron.¹⁸ Adonis was beloved even among the dead.⁸ Speakers asked Adonis to be gracious and propitious for the coming year.¹⁷ An ancient sanctuary dedicated to Adonis exists in the Cypriot city of Amathus.¹⁹ The city of Byblus, the royal seat of Cinyrus, is described as being sacred to Adonis.²⁰ Adonis was born in Paphos, a city founded by his father Cinyras.⁶ According to one tradition, he emerged from a myrrh tree after his mother Smyrna was transformed.⁴ Adonis possessed gardens that were highly admired in remote antiquity.²¹ The rose and myrtle are connected with his story.²² Lamentations for Adonis were associated with the Phoenician flute called the gingri.⁹ A woman is beginning a dirge-singing performance dedicated to Adonis.⁸ A festival dedicated to Adonis was celebrated by Samian women.²³ Argive women performed mourning rituals for him in a specific building.²⁴ A rich courtesan planned a lavish feast to honor Adonis.²⁵ The Adonis event is held at the palace of the King, Ptolemy.²⁶ The Queen has prepared a splendid provision for the Adonis celebration.²⁶