Aphroditus

Aphroditus or Aphroditos (Ancient Greek: Ἀφρόδιτος, Aphróditos, [apʰróditos]) was a version of Aphrodite originating from Amathus on the island of Cyprus and celebrated in Athens.

[7] One of the earliest surviving images from Athens is a fragment (late 4th century BC), found in the Athenian agora, of a clay mould for a terracotta figurine.

The figurine would have stood about 30 cm high, represented in a style known as ἀνασυρόμενος (anasyromenos), a female lifting her dress to reveal male genitals,[8] a gesture that was believed to have apotropaic qualities, averting evil influences and bestowing good luck.

[9] This combination of the male and female in one divinity and being associated with the moon, both of which were considered to have fertilizing powers, was regarded as having an influence over the entire animal and vegetable creation.

[12]Alciphron (c. 125 – after 180 AD), Epistles 3.37 Having woven a garland of flowers, I repaired to the temple of Hermaphroditus, to fix it there, in honour of my deceased husband Phaedria [sic] but I was seized there by Moschion and his companions.

Herm of Aphroditus at the Nationalmuseum in Stockholm
Greek terracotta figurine , late 4th century BCE, National Museum of Magna Grecia
Bronze statuette , Roman imperial , 1st-3rd century CE, British Museum [ 1 ]