The Venus of Arles 1st C. BCE

"April is under the protection of Venus, and some ancient authors derived the month's name from Aphrodite (perhaps via a conjectured Etruscan form, Aprodita); others derive it from aperire (to open), since it is the time when, according to Cincius and Varro, "fruits and flowers and animals and seas and lands open."

The Veneralia, on the first day of Venus' month, honors Venus Verticordia (Changer of Hearts) and Her companion Fortuna Virilis (Bold Fortune). In ancient times all the women, married and unmarried, went to the men's baths, as today they might go to swimming pools. Upon arriving they offer incense to Fortuna Virilis and pray that the men will not see any blemishes the women might have. They make a libation and drink the potion Venus drank on Her wedding night: pounded poppy with milk and honey. An ancient commentary (probably by Verrius) says they go to the baths to view the men's virile members. The women, crowned with myrtle wreaths, bathe and pray that Venus will bring them concord and a modest life. Ovid says, "beauty and fortune and good fame are in Her keeping."

In addition, the women remove the jewelry and other ornaments from the statues of Venus and Fortuna so that they can be washed, after which they are redecorated and adorned with roses (Venus's flower). [OF IV.133-64; SFR 96-7]"

-taken from archive link below


The Venus of Arles 1st C. BCE


Ruins of Roman theatre in Arles, France, where the statue was found.

Restoration areas in blue.




































Source:

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=293212945519748&set=a.206313080876402

https://twitter.com/ancienteurope/status/1015594139524755456

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venus_of_Arles_Louvre_Ma439_n03.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venus_of_Arles_Louvre_Ma439_n05.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venus_of_Arles_Louvre_Ma439_n07.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venus_of_Arles_Louvre_Ma439_n06.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venus_of_Arles_Louvre_Ma439_n04.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venus_of_Arles_Louvre_Ma439_n08.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venus_of_Arles_Louvre_Ma439_n01.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_of_Arles#/media/File:Venus_of_Arles-IMG_9387-gradient.jpg

https://www.louvre.fr/en/explore/the-palace/ideal-greek-beauty

https://64.media.tumblr.com/384986d567821b28519c5c28fe22b8de/tumblr_onfdnpBhiq1w8rhg1o1_1280.png

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Venus_of_Arles-IMG_9391-gradient.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Venus_of_Arles-IMG_9393-black.jpg

https://collections.louvre.fr/ark:/53355/cl010277986

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Arles_Roman_theater_pillar_ruins.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:VdArestaur.jpg

 

Quote:

https://web.archive.org/web/20051204060858/http://www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/BA/SF/SprEq.html#veneralia

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