A fairy tale with Ancient Greek origin

"Eros and Psyche" ("Cupid and Psyche" in Latin) is a wonderful fairy tale of Ancient Greek origin, preserved by the Roman novelist Apuleius (2nd cent. AD). 

Psyche (in Greek means Soul) was a very beautiful girl who loved the god Eros (Love). Based on this story the tale conveys with touching tenderness the ancient view of the immortality of the soul and love. This particular myth has been a source of inspiration for many works of art throughout the ages, culminating in the period of Romanticism (late 18th to mid 19th centuries). 

“Melos Erotiko" presents a condensation of this fairy tale, in a video with narration accompanied by original music composition and images of relevant sculptures and paintings supporting the story. The narration lasts approximately 5,5 minutes, followed by a two-minute presentation of the visuals.
Story by: Konstantinos Martinides
Music and narration: Michalis Michaleris

Regarding the origin of the myth, Apuleius included it in his work "Metamorphoses or The Golden Ass." In this, an elderly servant tells a frightened girl "a beautiful old story", as it is literally mentioned. This digression is the most marvelous part of the work and appears unconnected with the rest of the text. Moreover, Apuleius closes the myth with these words: "Here ends the tale that the toothless old woman told to her prisoner. And I, who was a little further away, regretted not having either a pen or a tablet to note it down."

Some believe that Apuleius was inspired by the Neoplatonic philosophers he met in Athens. Anyway, from the content of the story and the way Apuleius narrates it, it is evident that it is an old Greek myth, with many fairy tale elements, making it a popular folk tale.

Apuleius: Born around 125 AD in Madauros, Africa. A member of an upper-class family, he studied rhetoric in Carthage, which was then a center of Latin studies. Subsequently, he went to Athens where he studied the Greek language, literature, and philosophy.

The text of the narrative in “Melos Erotiko”:

Eros (Love), the god Eros, the son of Aphrodite. In his adolescence, he too fell in love, according to the myth of the Greeks, the beautiful maiden called Psyche (Soul).

When Psyche, a maiden of unparalleled beauty, was worshiped by mortals as goddess Aphrodite, the true goddess became so enraged, that she sent her only son, Eros, to wound her with his bitter arrows so that she would fall in love with the most wretched of men. However Eros loved her and with the help of an oracle, he secretly led her in his magical kingdom, where they were loved in the darkness, without Psyche knowing who her fiery lover was. 

God’s command was clear: she should not attempt to reveal his face, for this sacrilegious curiosity would cast her into the abyss of misery and she would lose him forever. The warnings multiplied when the fruit of their desire took root in the maiden’s womb. “He will become an immortal god, if you do not reveal my secrets” he said. “He will remain mortal, if you seek to learn them”. 

Despite all the vows, Psyche led astray by unholy sirens and poisonous lips, portraying her husband as a monster ready to devour her, decided to take the first step. Slipping gently from the bed, while he rested blissfully, she took a knife and, holding the oil lamp, approached bravely and determined.

But in the light of the lamp, she beheld the most divine of the visions, the god Eros himself, sweet, graceful, unparalleled! 

In her confusion, she injures herself with his arrows and an uncontrollable desire overwhelms her. Bold desires, to touch, to be set on fire by his charming flame. But unfortunately a drop of hot oil slips onto Eros’s shoulder. He jumps up from the pain, and realizing that he has been betrayed, he vanishes into the ether leaving his broken voice: “Weak and simple Psyche, I made many mistakes and I feel it. As for you, I will not punish you in any other way, but by leaving you forever”.

Since then, Psyche (Soul) searches for Eros (Love), desperately, everywhere! 

Meanwhile, the gold-haired god suffers in his mother’s bed from the wound inflicted by the girl. Venus, even more enraged by her son’s suffering, relentlessly hunts Psyche. Tortures her mercilessly and sets a multitude  of harsh trials to her. The beautiful maiden, either uncomplainingly or with the anticipation of her end, fulfills every unreasonable command.

However, her sufferings are nearing their resolution.

Jupiter, after the plea of Eros who never ceased to love and think of her, and trying to discipline the mischievous god, for the many worries he caused to the Olympians, he grants permission for the sacred union.

And wanting to mitigate the objections of the jealous Venus, he raises Psyche to heavens and makes her immortal!

Thus the marriage of Psyche and Eros was solemnly celebrated in the heavenly realms. And soon, a very sweet little girl was born, named Hedone (Pleasure)