VENUS--APHRODITE.
_Ques._ Who was Venus?
_Ans._ She was the goddess of love and beauty. She sprang from the
froth of the sea; for this reason the Greeks called her Aphrodi´te,
from Aphros, meaning foam. As soon as she was born, she was placed
like a pearl in a shell instead of a cradle, and the god Zephyrus (the
west wind) wafted her to the shores of Cyprus.
_Ques._ By whom was she educated?
_Ans._ She was educated and adorned by the Horæ or Hours, who carried
her to heaven as soon she became of age. All the gods were astonished
at the beauty of Venus, and many demanded her in marriage; but Jupiter
betrothed her to Vulcan, an ugly and deformed divinity.
_Ques._ How is Venus represented?
_Ans._ Sometimes as a young virgin rising from the sea, or riding on
the waves in a shell, while Cupids, Nereids and Dolphins are sporting
around her--again, she is pictured as traversing the heavens in an
ivory chariot drawn by doves. She wears a wonderful girdle called the
Cestus, her doves are harnessed with golden chains, and Cupids flutter
around her on silken wings. Venus is always crowned with roses.
_Ques._ What was there remarkable in the Cestus of Venus?
_Ans._ It had the property of conferring grace, beauty, and
irresistible attractions on the wearer.
_Ques._ Where had Venus temples?
_Ans._ In many places. The most celebrated were at Paphos, Cytherea,
Idalia and Cnidos.
_Ques._ Who were the companions of Venus?
_Ans._ The Graces were her attendants, and she was generally
accompanied by her son Cupid, who was the god of love.
_Ques._ How is Cupid represented?
_Ans._ As a beautiful boy with wings, carrying a bow and arrows; he
has sometimes a band over his eyes to show that love is blind.
_Ques._ What do you say of the festivals of Venus?
_Ans._ They were various, and accompanied by much that was disgraceful
and immoral. The swan, the dove, and the sparrow were sacred to this
goddess; and among plants, the rose, the myrtle and the apple.
Incense, fruits and flowers were the ordinary sacrifices laid on her
altars but birds were sometimes offered.
_Ques._ What remarkable temple was raised to Venus in Rome?
_Ans._ There was a temple dedicated to Venus Calva, or the Bald;
because when the Gauls besieged Rome, the inhabitants made ropes for
their military engines with the long hair of the Roman women.
_Ques._ On what occasion was the prize of beauty adjudged to Venus?
_Ans._ All the gods and goddesses had been invited to the marriage of
Peleus and Thetis, Discordia, or Discord being the only one excluded.
This goddess was determined to revenge the slight; she entered
secretly, when all were assembled, and threw among them a golden apple
on which was written: "For the fairest." A violent quarrel immediately
arose between the goddesses, for each believed herself to be the most
beautiful. Juno, Minerva, and Venus disputed so eagerly, that Jupiter
himself was not able to bring them to an agreement. He resolved,
therefore, to refer the matter to the decision of Paris, who was then
feeding his sheep on Mount Ida. This prince was the son of Priam, king
of Troy. An oracle had foretold before his birth that he was destined
to cause the destruction of his native city. He was, therefore,
exposed on Mount Ida, where he was found and cared for by some
shepherds. After he had grown up, he acquired a great reputation for
the prudence with which he settled the most difficult disputes; hence
the difference between the goddesses was referred to his decision.
When they appeared before him, they began to court his favor with
promises. Juno offered him great power; Minerva, wisdom; but Venus
promised to give him for a wife the most beautiful woman in the world.
Paris then pronounced Venus the fairest. He was soon after
acknowledged by his father, King Priam; and Venus fulfilled her
engagement by aiding him to carry off Helen, the beautiful wife of
Menela´us, king of Sparta. This gave rise to the total destruction of
Troy; and the prediction of the oracle with regard to Paris was
accomplished.
_Ques._ What was the story of Hippo´menes and Atalanta?
_Ans._ Atalanta was the daughter of King Coeneus, and was equally
renowned for her beauty and her swiftness in running. As an oracle had
declared that marriage would be fatal to her, she freed herself from
the importunity of her suitors by a singular expedient. She caused it
to be proclaimed that any one who sought her hand should contend with
her in running, with the understanding that she would marry him who
should excel her in the race, but that those who were beaten should
suffer death. Hard as were these conditions, many suitors presented
themselves, but they were all unsuccessful, and were put to death
without mercy. Hippo´menes determined to undertake the race, but
first, he had recourse to Venus. This goddess gave him three golden
apples gathered in the garden of the Hesper´ides, and directed him as
to their use. When Hippo´menes saw that Atalanta was going to
outstrip him in the race, he threw down a golden apple; the princess
paused to admire and take up the glittering fruit, while Hippo´menes
passed on. A second and a third time did he try the same expedient,
and with such success that he reached the goal and won his bride.
Hippo´menes was ungrateful to Venus, who revenged herself by changing
him into a lion, and the beautiful Atalanta into a lioness.
_Ques._ Who was Adonis?
_Ans._ He was a beautiful youth, the son of Cin´yras, king of Cyprus,
and was beloved by Venus. He was killed by a wild boar, while hunting
with that goddess. Venus grieved much for her favorite. To commemorate
his cruel fate she caused the flower anemone to spring from his blood.
According to the poets, the rose was formerly white. When Venus was
hastening to the assistance of Adonis, her foot was wounded by a
thorn, and some drops of blood fell upon that flower, which then
assumed its present crimson hue.
_Ques._ Who were the Graces?
_Ans._ They were inferior goddesses, who presided over the banquet,
the dance and all social enjoyments and elegant arts.
_Ques._ How many were there?
_Ans._ They were three in number. Their names were Euphro´syne,
Agla´ia and Thalia. They are represented as beautiful young women,
standing in graceful attitudes with their hands joined.