Ancient Greeks divided love in different categories due to their need to classify and give a name to everything. They had eight different types of love:

  • αγάπη (agapē): unconditional love, mental, sometimes it can be not reciprocated
  • φιλία (philia): affection between friends, parents
  • ερως (érōs): physical love, it’s about the sexual aspect; something that cannot be satiated (it doesn’t necessarily have to be satisfied)
  • αντέρως (antérōs): reciprocated love, there’s a bond
  • ιμεροσ (hī́meros): unstoppable love (it must be satisfied)
  • πόθος (póthos): desire (imaginary, dreamed)
  • στοργή (storgḗ): tender love, sweet (family love)
  • θέλημα (thélēma): devotion (love for what you do)