Hedone

Hedone (Ancient Greek: ἡδονή, hēdonē) is the Greek word meaning "pleasure." It was an important concept in Ancient Greek philosophy, especially in the Epicurean school. It is also the root of the English word "hedonism".

In Greek mythology, Hedone is personified as a goddess of pleasure, enjoyment, and delight, as the daughter born from the union of Eros (personification of love) and Psyche (personification of the soul).[1] She was associated more specifically with sensual pleasure. Her opposites were the Algea, personifications of pain.[2] Her equivalent in Roman mythology is Voluptas. There is no evidence that she was ever the object of cult worship.

  1. ^ Stampolidis, Nicholas; Tassoulas, Yorgos (2009). Eros: from Hesiod's Theogony to late antiquity. Museum of Cycladic Art. p. 48. ISBN 9789607064868.
  2. ^ "Hedone". Theoi Greek Mythology. Retrieved 6 July 2015.