The Rose of Venus

A sexual encounter with a mysterious woman at the Sanctuary of Aphrodite convinced the young Eumelos that the Goddess had a purpose for him, even though the woman seemed to disappear from Cyprus. Years later he was obliged to consider marriage for business reasons, but on meeting the family of the prospective bride he was amazed to discover that her stepmother, Urania, was the mystery woman. He went through with the marriage so that he could be near to Urania and thereafter led a complicated, adulterous life. But it couldn't last. His friendship with the Christians Barnabas and Paul added to this complication as his wife became a Christian against his wishes, which led to the death of his two sons - the vengeance of the Olympian Gods, he believed. His affair with Urania ended in as mysterious a fashion as it had begun.