Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Peitho

Peitho was the goddess or personified spirit (daemon) of persuasion, seduction and charming speech.Peitho embodied the complex nature of persuasion. More than just sweet talk, she encompassed both seductive allure and the power of reasoned arguments. Those who earned her favor could sway others with eloquence and conviction, navigating the delicate balance between charm and logic.

Fresco of Peitho taking Eros to Aphrodite and Anterus, c. 25 BC. Naples National Museum.

Residence: Mount Olympus
Symbols: Ball of twine
Parents: Oceanus and Tethys
Siblings: The Oceanids
Roman equivalent: Suadaela

While serving as Aphrodite’s handmaiden, Peitho wasn’t a mere servant. Her role as the goddess of persuasion elevated her position. By swaying hearts and minds in Aphrodite’s favor, Peitho acted as a herald, ensuring the goddess’s influence extended beyond initial attraction.

Art

Relief of Paris and Helen, with Peitho sitting atop a wall, c. 100 BC – 100 AD.
Naples National Archaeological Museum.
Fragment depicting Peitho, Aphrodite, and Eros, c. 490 BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A Roman relief depicting Peitho, 1st c. BC. Metropolitan Museum of Art.