VENUS VICTRIX

Venus Victrix appears on many coins from the time of Augustus onwards, sometimes associated with the wife of the emperor: generally, she stands in three-quarter view, a cloak around her lower body, resting her elbow on a column or shield; in one hand she holds a helmet or sword. No certain example of a statue is known, but one from the Augustan theatre at Arles, which depicts a half-naked Venus removing a sword and belt from around her shoulders, may be a variation of the type.

An anonymous Latin poem, the "Pervigilium Veneris" ("Vigil of Venus"), connects the Sicilian Hybla to Venus. It is possible that the poem was composed during the reign of Hadrian (117-138 AD), who visited Sicily and erected a temple of Venus in Rome, in which case Hadrian’s visit perhaps provided the occasion for this dedication by Gaius Publicius Donatus.

"Who has never loved shall love tomorrow, tomorrow shall love who has loved before.The goddess has ordered her tribunal to stand among flowers of Hybla. She herself presides and proclaims her laws; the Graces have taken their seats. Hybla, pour forth the year’s whole harvest of flowers! Hybla, plait a garland of flowers as wide as the plain of Aetna! The nymphs of field and mountain will be here: all who live in forest, grove or fountain. The mother of the winged child has ordered all to be seated, and bidden the maidens to have no trust in Amor, even when he is naked. Who has never loved shall love tomorrow, tomorrow shall love who has loved before." Pervigilium Veneris, lines 47-58 (trans. Catlow).