History Main / GorgeousGreek

Historically, the Hellenic people have placed great value on physical beauty since the times of UsefulNotes/AncientGreece, as it was [[ValuesDissonance considered]] to be a [[BeautyEqualsGoodness blessing from the gods]]. It's no wonder that names such as [[Literature/TrojanCycle Helen of Troy]] (who was actually from Sparta) are synonymous with beauty, and Myth/ClassicalMythology is overflowing with not just [[HelloNurse gorgeous girls]] but {{pretty boy}}s as well. This endured even into the [[UsefulNotes/ByzantineEmpire Byzantine period]] where according to their values, TheEmperor was a reflection of [[DivineRightOfKings heavenly authority]] and since God was perfect, the emperor also had to be [[TheBeautifulElite physically unblemished]]. It was also in that time period that both Arabic and Frankish (generic term referring to Western Europe) chronicles often described Byzantine ladies as [[FemmeFatale exotic and seductive beauties]].

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'' has Adonis as the epitome of male with [[DarkSkinnedBlonde long golden hair and tanned skin]] and [[EveryoneLovesBlondes Helen of Troy]], naturally.

* ''Crusades'' features Venus Kostopikas as an HotScoop from a dying newspaper investigating an enigmatic 11th century Crusader knight on a killing spree in modern times.

But make no mistake: the male physique was just as idealized as the female one, if not more so. This notion comes from countless works of arts like paintings and sculptures, specially in the wake of neoclassicism during UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance. During that time period, Greece was under occupation of the UsefulNotes/OttomanEmpire ever since [[UsefulNotes/TheFallOfConstantinople the Fall of Constantinople]], which led to the diaspora of several scholars and intellectuals over Europe and many tales were spread about how [[SoBeautifulItsACurse Greek maidens were forced into harems for their beauty]] to denounce Ottoman despotism--[[TruthInTelevision sure enough]], many [[HotConsort famous sultanas]] were previously slave concubines [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kösem_Sultan of]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emetullah_Rabia_Gülnuş_Sultan Greek]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saliha_Sultan_(wife_of_Mustafa_II) origin]]. Only the [[CircassianBeauty Circassian girls]] topped Greek girls in this regard and eventually replaced them after the Greek War of Independence and [[UsefulNotes/TsaristRussia Imperial Russia]] ended the slave trade in Eastern European women, making the Ottomans turn to UsefulNotes/TheCaucasus instead.

[[quoteright:350:[[Literature/TrojanCycle https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/helen_of_troy_5.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:She that far surpassed all mortals in beauty.]]

** Pre-Crisis supervillain Silver Swan went from plain Greek ballet dancer Helena Alexandros to a WomanInWhite [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/marvel_dc/images/4/4d/Helen_Alexandros_Earth-One_001.png/revision/latest?cb=20110421215546 blonde bombshell]]. She resented her HollywoodHomely appearance in spite of being descended from/named after the mythological Helen of Troy, and struck a deal with [[BigBad Mars]] in order [[IJustWantToBeBeautiful to become beautiful]].

* ''VideoGame/GodOfWarSeries'': Commonplace in the games set in ancient Greece where several goddesses ([[LoveGoddess Aphrodite]], [[LightIsGood Eos]] and [[EvilIsSexy Lachesis]]) and female mortals ([[TwinThreesomeFantasy Lora, Zora]], [[BathingBeauty Leda, Persephone]] and [[BeautifulSlaveGirl Poseidon's Princess]] to name a few) are featured in varying states of undress. Also OncePerEpisode until ''VideoGame/GodOfWarAscension'', Kratos could have an OptionalSexualEncounter with semi-naked Greek babes in exchange for experience points including [[DivineDate Aphrodite herself]].

Historically, the Hellenic people have placed great value on physical beauty since the times of AncientGreece, as it was [[ValuesDissonance considered]] to be a [[BeautyEqualsGoodness blessing from the gods]]. It's no wonder that names such as [[Literature/TrojanCycle Helen of Troy]] (who was actually from Sparta) are synonymous with beauty, and Myth/ClassicalMythology is overflowing with not just [[HelloNurse gorgeous girls]] but {{pretty boy}}s as well. This endured even into the [[UsefulNotes/ByzantineEmpire Byzantine period]] where according to their values, TheEmperor was a reflection of [[DivineRightOfKings heavenly authority]] and since God was perfect, the emperor also had to be [[TheBeautifulElite physically unblemished]]. It was also in that time period that both Arabic and Frankish (generic term referring to Western Europe) chronicles often described Byzantine ladies as [[FemmeFatale exotic and seductive beauties]].

* ''VideoGame/GodOfWarSeries'': Commonplace in the games set in AncientGreece where several goddesses ([[LoveGoddess Aphrodite]], [[LightIsGood Eos]] and [[EvilIsSexy Lachesis]]) and female mortals ([[TwinThreesomeFantasy Lora, Zora]], [[BathingBeauty Leda, Persephone]] and [[BeautifulSlaveGirl Poseidon's Princess]] to name a few) are featured in varying states of undress. Also OncePerEpisode until ''VideoGame/GodOfWarAscension'', Kratos could have an OptionalSexualEncounter with semi-naked Greek babes in exchange for experience points including [[DivineDate Aphrodite herself]].

Historically, the Hellenic people have placed great value on physical beauty since the times of AncientGreece, as it was [[ValuesDissonance considered]] to be a [[BeautyEqualsGoodness blessing from the gods]]. It's no wonder that names such as [[Literature/TrojanCycle Helen of Troy]] are synonymous with beauty, and Myth/ClassicalMythology is overflowing with not just [[HelloNurse gorgeous girls]] but {{pretty boy}}s as well. This endured even into the [[UsefulNotes/ByzantineEmpire Byzantine period]] where according to their values, TheEmperor was a reflection of [[DivineRightOfKings heavenly authority]] and since God was perfect, the emperor also had to be [[TheBeautifulElite physically unblemished]]. It was also in that time period that both Arabic and Frankish (generic term referring to Western Europe) chronicles often described Byzantine ladies as [[FemmeFatale exotic and seductive beauties]].

* Former Wrestling/{{WWE}} Diva Wrestling/DawnMarie is of Greco-[[UsefulNotes/{{France}} French]]-[[UsefulNotes/{{Italy}} Italian]] descent. She was a {{Heel}} MsFanservice. WWE never emphasized her ethnicity, pretty much portraying her as a {{Manipulative B|astard}}itch from {{Joisey}}.

At the height of Philhellenism by authors like Creator/LordByron and Creator/AlexandreDumas, female characters were popularly portrayed as tragic and ill-fated {{love interest}}s for the [[HomegrownHero Western European hero]] while male characters were as rugged and gallant in a very Balkan fashion, and they almost always wore a BadassMustache. In some modern works, Greeks fall into ForeignFanservice territory, usually portrayed as idealized beauties with olive-skin and dark hair, though this is not always the case as their looks can vary due to the Mediterranean being a melting pot of multiple different people and cultures. Similar to their slavic counterparts, the appeal stems from them being caught in the bridge between East and West--being both exotic and yet too familiar at the same time.

SubTrope of ForeignFanservice. Compare with EnglishRose, SexyScandinavian, SensualSlavs, MatzoFever, CircassianBeauty and LatinLover. Also related to TheBurlesqueOfVenus due to sharing sources. [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused]] with [[RougeAnglesOfSatin Gorgeous]] ''[[NerdsAreSexy Geek]]''.

But make no mistake: the male physique was just as idealized as the female one, if not more so. This notion comes from countless works of arts like paintings and sculptures, specially in the wake of neoclassicism during UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance. During that time period, Greece was under occupation of the UsefulNotes/OttomanEmpire ever since [[UsefulNotes/TheFallOfConstantinople the Fall of Constantinople]], which led to the diaspora of several scholars and intellectuals over Europe and many tales were spread about how [[SoBeautifulItsACurse Greek maidens were forced into harems for their beauty]] to denounce Ottoman despotism - [[TruthInTelevision sure enough]], many [[HotConsort famous sultanas]] were previously slave concubines [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kösem_Sultan of]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emetullah_Rabia_Gülnuş_Sultan Greek]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saliha_Sultan_(wife_of_Mustafa_II) origin]]. Only the [[CircassianBeauty Circassian girls]] topped Greek girls in this regard and eventually replaced them after the Greek War of Independence and [[UsefulNotes/TsaristRussia Imperial Russia]] ended the slave trade in Eastern European women, making the Ottomans turn to UsefulNotes/TheCaucasus instead.

At the height of Phillhelenism by authors like Creator/LordByron and Creator/AlexandreDumas, female characters were popularly portrayed as tragic and ill-fated {{love interest}}s for the [[HomegrownHero Western European hero]] while male characters were as rugged and gallant in a very Balkan fashion, and they almost always wore a BadassMustache. In some modern works, Greeks fall into ForeignFanservice territory, usually portrayed as idealized beauties with olive-skin and dark hair, though this is not always the case as their looks can vary due to the Mediterranean being a melting pot of multiple different people and cultures. Similar to their slavic counterparts, the appeal stems from them being caught in the bridge between East and West - being both exotic and yet too familiar at the same time.

* ''Film/{{Alexander}}'' has Creator/AngelinaJolie, of all people, playing Olympias, mother of Alexander the Great.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Gargoyles}}'': David Xanatos is an suave and charismatic EvilGenius that immigrated from Greece to America and managed to win Fox Renard's heart.

[[foldier:Professional Wrestling]]
* Former Wrestling/{{WWE}} Diva Wrestling/DawnMarie is of Greco-[[UsefulNotes/{{France}} French]]-[[UsefulNotes/{{Italy}} Italian]] descent. She was a {{Heel}} MsFanservice.

SubTrope of ForeignFanservice. Compare with SexyScandinavian, SensualSlavs, MatzoFever, CircassianBeauty and LatinLover. Also related to TheBurlesqueOfVenus due to sharing sources. [[JustForFun/IThoughtItMeant Not to be confused]] with [[RougeAnglesOfSatin Gorgeous]] ''[[NerdsAreSexy Geek]]''.

* ''Literature/TheSookieStackhouseMysteries'': Dahlia is said to be of Greek origin, having lived during ancient times and interacted with [[Literature/TheOdyssey Ulysses]]. She is also described as having a petite build with large {{green eyes}}, [[RavenHairIvorySkin pale skin and long black hair]].

* ''VideoGame/GodOfWarSeries'': Commonplace in the games set in AncientGreece where several goddesses ([[LoveGoddess Aphrodite]], [[LightIsGood Eos]] and [[EvilIsSexy Lachesis]]) and female mortals ([[TwinThreesomeFantasy Lora, Zora]], [[BathingBeauty Leda, Persephone]] and [[BeautifulSlaveGirl Poseidon's Princess]] to name a few) are featured in varying states of undress. The trope picture depicts the Oracle of Athens, one of Kratos' allies in the first game who wears a [[VaporWear transparent toga]]. Also OncePerEpisode until ''VideoGame/GodOfWarAscension'', Kratos could have an OptionalSexualEncounter with semi-naked Greek babes in exchange for experience points including [[DivineDate Aphrodite herself]].

** Athena Parthenos often takes an HotLibrarian form when disguised as an mortal. She is considered very attractive in-universe, but alas she is an CelibateHero.

[[quoteright:350: [[VideoGame/GodOfWar https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/oracle_8.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Being called a [[MsFanservice Greek goddess]] is a compliment after all]]

** Athena Parthenos often takes an HotLibrarian form when disguised as an mortal. She is considered very attractive in-universe, but alas she is an CelibateHeroine.

* Haydee in ''Literature/TheCountOfMonteCristo'' is probably one of the most well-known examples in literature. The daughter of Albanian nobleman Ali Pasha and his Greek concubine Kyra Vassiliki, she was sold to slavery after her parents' deaths until her freedom was bought by Edmond Dantès and becomes his MoralityPet. The page quote above taken from the narration details how exotic and nubile the fair Greek lady is. [[spoiler:By the end of the book, she becomes Edmond's lover]].

At the height of Phillhelenism by authors like Creator/LordByron, female characters were popularly portrayed as tragic and ill-fated {{love interest}}s for the [[HomegrownHero Western European hero]], nubile slave girls desperate to escape their GildedCage or a combination of both. Male characters were portrayed as rugged and gallant in a very Balkan way, and they almost always wore a BadassMustache. In some modern works, Greeks fall into ForeignFanservice territory, usually portrayed as idealized beauties with olive-skin and dark hair, though this is not always the case as their looks can vary due to the Mediterranean being a melting pot of multiple different people and cultures. Similar to their slavic counterparts, the appeal stems from them being caught in the bridge between East and West - being both exotic and yet too familiar at the same time.

** In chapter 9, Athena Haruka is revealed to be the actual Greek goddess in [[PhysicalGod physical form.]] She's depicted as a [[BoobsOfSteel busty blonde]] who's so hot that her enemies, bystanders, and even ''[[ParentalIncest her own daughter]]'', all wanna bang her. Which is why she's referred to as [[StacysMom "the MILF]] [[InSeriesNickname of Steel".]]

At the height of Phillhelenism by authors like Creator/LordByron, female characters were popularly portrayed as tragic and ill-fated {{love interest}}s for the [[HomegrownHero Western European hero]], nubile slave girls desperate to escape their GildedCage or a combination of both. Male characters were portrayed as rugged and gallant in a very Balkan way, and they almost always wore a BadassMustache. In some modern works, Greeks fall into ForeignFanservice territory, usually portrayed as idealized beauties with olive-skin and dark hair, though this is not always the case as their looks can vary due to the Mediterranean being a melting pot of multiple different people and cultures. Similar to their slavic counterparts, the appeal stems from them being caught in the bride between East and West - being both exotic and yet too familiar at the same time.

But make no mistake: the male physique was just as idealized as the female one, if not more so. This notion comes from countless works of arts like paintings and sculptures, specially in the wake of neoclassicism during UsefulNotes/TheRenaissance. During that time period, Greece was under occupation of the UsefulNotes/OttomanEmpire ever since [[UsefulNotes/TheFallOfConstantinople the Fall of Constantinople]], which led to the diaspora of several scholars and intellectuals over Europe and many tales were spread about how [[SoBeautifulItsACurse Greek maidens were forced into harems for their beauty]] to denounce Ottoman despotism - [[TruthInTelevision sure enough]], many [[HotConsort famous sultanas]] were previously slave concubines [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kösem_Sultan of]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emetullah_Rabia_Gülnuş_Sultan Greek]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saliha_Sultan_(wife_of_Mustafa_II) origin]]. Only the [[CircassianBeauty Circassian girls]] topped Greek girls in this regard and eventually replaced them after the Greek War of Independence and Imperial Russia ended the slave trade in Eastern European women, making the Ottomans turn to the Caucasus instead.