Aphrodite and the Gods of Love, the first major U.S. exhibition devoted to the ancient Greek goddess, is featured at the Getty Villa through July 9.Typically associated with beauty and erotic desire, Aphrodite is among the most compelling of ancient Greek divinities. Aphrodite and the Gods of Love, the first major U.S. exhibition devoted to her, goes beyond conventional preconceptions of aphrodite as simply the goddess of love to explore her manifold aspects: her precursors in the ancient near East, her devotees, her companions and offspring, and her adaptation in roman religion as venus. the show, which includes a number of important loans from italy, is at the Getty villa March 28-July 9. “it reveals other sides of [aphrodite] that deserve attention,” says curator David Saunders, “her role as a protectress in certain cities, for example, or her care for sailors and merchants…. We demonstrate that she was not always benevolent. there are numerous cases in which she and Eros manipulate the desires of both men and gods.” 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, 310.440.7300. getty.edu