S5E35: Venus: Roman Goddess of Love

Описание: Sharing the book, "Goddess: 50 Goddesses, Spirits, Saints, and Other Female Figures Who Have Shaped Belief." It is written by Dr. Janina Ramirez and illustrated by Sarah Walsh.

This video gets into Venus, the Roman Goddess of love, beauty, and victory. Venus is said to be beautiful and very powerful. The book says the Romans took many of the Greek myths connected to Aphrodite, and added their own touch to create Venus. She had many loves and gave birth to the child god, Cupid. She had another son, Aeneas, who is said to be an ancestor of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. In this way, she is known as the "bringer of victory," and "Mother of Rome."

Venus' creation story is kind of odd. She emerged from the seafoam of Caelus's flesh, after his child cut him up, because he was told to by Terra, mother of all life on earth, according to the Romans. Venus was the winner of the Golden Apple, after winning a beauty contest where she went up against Juno and Minerva. Paris, the Trojan prince was the judge. He declared Venus the winner, after she promised to give him love from the most beautiful woman in the world. This started the bloody war between Greece and Troy. Her gifts are seen as a blessing and a curse.

The first emperor, Julius Caesar, said he was a descendant of Venus. Festivals for Venus take place in April, to welcome spring. Her followers offer gifts of fruits and vegetables for her. The book says that Venus is celebrated as a powerful woman who balances fires of passion, war, violence with love, gentleness, and kindness.