The 5 Types of Love According to the Ancient Greeks

Love According to the Ancient Greeks

Jennifer Gold writes about love. Her novels are The Ingredients of Us, and Keep Me Afloat (releasing March 3rd).

When it came to love, the ancient Greeks didn’t limit themselves to one definition. Philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle recognized that love can come in many forms, from platonic appreciation to romantic lust.

This Valentine’s Day, take a lesson from the ancient Greeks and remember to celebrate not just the romantic love in your life, but the individuals you love in other ways. Whether it’s your spouse, parents, children, friends, pets, or someone else—love (in all its forms!) is worth celebrating.

Eros Greek words for love History Hustle Jennifer Gold image
Eros, Greek god of love and sex.

1. Eros – Erotic love, love of beauty

Related to the modern Greek “erotas,” Eros speaks to sexual passion and intimate love. Though Eros can be felt initially (what modern people might refer to as “lust”), Plato argued that with contemplation, Eros becomes a deeper and more meaningful form of love: an appreciation of external and internal beauty.

So, while Eros speaks to erotic desire, it also speaks to the spiritual recognition of in beauty in all its forms.

2. Philia – Friendly love, love between equals

A concept developed by Aristotle, Philia refers to a virtuous and loyal love. Aristotle spoke of Philia in his well-known work on ethics, Nicomachean Ethics, relating it to “brotherly love” and the love one might feel for family and community. Think of Philia as a love between friends—an affection amongst equals.

3. Storge – Familial love, empathetic love

The ancient Greeks used Storge (pronounced store-gae) almost exclusively for a love felt between parents and their children.

A familial love, Storge references affection, empathy, and—in some interpretations—a dependent sort of love. It’s no surprise, then, that Storge can also refer to a love of country.

Hyacinth and Apollo Greek words for love image Jennifer Gold
Hyacinth and Apollo.

4. Philautia – Self love

Aristotle spoke of Philautia, or self-love, in Nicomachean Ethics. The Greeks divided this type of love into two categories, acknowledging that it can be both positive and negative.

On one hand, it’s healthy and essential to value yourself—but let your self-love go unchecked, and it turns into ego, vanity, and selfishness. It is important to be balanced in Philautia.

Sappho Greek words for love History Hustle Jennifer Gold image
Sappho, ancient Greek love poet.

5. Agape – Unconditional love, altruistic love

Agape is a term for pure, altruistic love—it speaks to patience, forgiveness, and understanding. The verb form of the word dates as far back as Homer, translated as showing affection. In Greco-Christian circles, it refers to a charitable form of love—a high form of affection that includes a love of God.

Italian philosopher and priest Thomas Aquinas describes Agape as “to will the good of another.” Outside of its Christian influences, Agape can be considered a love that holds another person in high esteem.

Socrates Greek words for love History Hustle Jennifer Gold image
Socrates had a few things to say about love.

Other forms of ancient love:

– Xenia: An ancient Greek concept of hospitality, meaning “guest friendship.”
– Ludus: Ancient Roman poetry explored Ludus as playful love, including erotic play—but the word isn’t limited by love. Ludus refers to the playing of games, including ancient sports and gladiatorial training.

History Hustle