Christine de Pizan

Christine de Pizan
The Writer Christine de Pizan at Her Desk

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Venus in Rome

Venus (first Roman temple dedicated, 19 August 295 BCE)


The Roman deity Venus was the goddess of gardens, cultivation, spring, and fertility. Tradition has it that the first known temple to Venus was promised by Quintus Fabius Gurges--fighting a battle against the Samnites, he promised to honor Venus obsequens ("indulgent Venus") if he were victorious.

The Venus de Milo,
c. 130-100 BCE
He was. And the first Roman temple to Venus was dedicated on 19 August 295 BCE.

That temple, near the Aventine Hill, no longer exists. But here's an image of the Temple of Venus genetrix, dedicated in 46 BCE by Julius Caesar.
The remains of the Temple of Venus,
built by Julius Caesar, 45 BCE