Aphrodite of the Gardens (Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: Ἀφροδίτη ἐν κήποις|{{grc-tr|Ἀφροδίτη ἐν κήποις) is an epithet of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The epithet describes her patronage over vegetation and garden fertility.[1]
According to Pausanias,[2] there was a sanctuary of Aphrodite of the Gardens near the Ilisos river, holding a famous cult statue of Aphrodite by Alcamenes and a herm of Aphrodite near the temple. It is unsure whether the statue of Aphrodite and the herm of Aphrodite were the same sculpture or two separate sculptures.[3]
The herm of Aphrodite may be linked to the later mythological character, Hermaphroditos.[4] [5] There are numerous references to a male aspect of Aphrodite, called Aphroditos, which was imported to Athens from Cyprus in the late 5th century BC and also a temple of Hermaphroditos was spoken of by Alciphron at Athens.[6]