Zeus punished Aphrodite because she caused numerous "improper unions" and relentlessly manipulated gods and mortals alike with her seductive powers. He sought to humble her and teach her a lesson about the consequences of her actions.
Aphrodite's Manipulative Influence
Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation, wielded considerable influence over both gods and mortals. Her irresistible allure often led to affairs, betrayals, and general chaos within the divine and human realms. Few could resist her charms, and she frequently used this to her advantage.
Zeus's Punishment: Humiliation and Empathy
As punishment for her manipulative ways and the disruptions she caused, Zeus forced Aphrodite to fall in love with Anchises, a mortal Trojan shepherd. This was a significant humiliation for her, as goddesses rarely married mortals. The union resulted in the birth of Aeneas, a hero of the Trojan War and a significant figure in Roman mythology.
The Purpose of the Curse
Zeus's intention wasn't merely to inflict pain; he aimed to instill empathy and understanding in Aphrodite. By experiencing love for a mortal, she would gain a different perspective on relationships and the complexities of human existence. This experience presumably tempered her actions in the future, although her meddling in affairs of the heart never entirely ceased. The forced union provided an understanding of the complexities of love that was outside the realm of her usual divine purview.
