Eros is a god who had several representations. Also his power on men and gods has been
referred to by several Greek authors. Plutarch was no exception and describes him as a god with
more power than any other. Gods like Hades, Aphrodite or Ares are nothing when compared
with the god of love.
In Amatorius, Plutarch presents us another aspect concerning love, which is not usual in
Classical Antiquity: the apology of conjugal love. The feeling inspired by Eros is not exclusive
of the man and heterosexual love is also inspired by this god. Plutarch praises women’s virtues,
particularly their capacities of fidelity, tenderness and devotion. He also refers himself to the
relationship between husband and wife, as the “integral union”, that relationship where, initially
love corresponds to some effervescence, which, in time, calms down, giving place to a great
stability.
These aspects – the way how Plutarch sees Eros and his conception of conjugal love – are those
we intend to approach in this paper.