Anteros
Anteros (love-for-love) In Greek mythology, god of passion, mutual love, and tenderness; son of Aphrodite and Ares; brother of Eros, Delmos, Enyo, Harmmia, Pallor, and Phobos. Aphrodite was told by Themis that her son Eros would grow only if he had another brother. As soon as Anteros was born, Eros began to grow, and his strength increased, but whenever Eros found himself at a distance from Anteros, he returned to his baby form. Often Anteros and Eros were portrayed striving to seize a palm tree from one another, to symbolize that true love endeavours to overcome by kindness and gratitude. Anteros and Eros were always portrayed in Greek academies as a symbol that students should love their teachers. Anteros is cited in Pausanias’s Description of Greece.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow -Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante
