Philotes (mythology)

In Greek mythology, Philotes (Greek: Φιλότης) was a minor goddess or spirit (daimones) personifying affection, friendship, and sex. She was a daughter of the goddess Nyx.

According to Hesiod's Theogony, she represented sexual and social intercourse. Her siblings are said to be, among others, Apate (Deceit) and Nemesis (Indignation). She was described by Empedocles as one of the driving forces behind creation, being paired together with Neikea (Feuds); Philotes being the cause of good things and Neikea the cause of bad. He also identifies her with Kypris and mentions that Philotes feels hurt and offended by life-destroying offerings and demands the abstention from animal sacrifices.