User:JNRM Student/Venus (mythology)

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Venus Physica: Venus as a universal, natural creative force that informs the physical world. She is addressed as "Alma Venus" ("Mother Venus") by Lucretius in the introductory lines of his vivid, poetic exposition of Epicurean physics and philosophy, De Rerum Natura. She seems to have been a favourite of Lucretius' patron, Memmius. Pompeii's protective goddess was Venus Physica Pompeiana, who had a distinctive, local form as a goddess of the sea, and trade. When Sulla captured Pompeii from the Samnites, he resettled it with his veterans and renamed it for his own family and divine protector Venus, as Colonia Veneria Cornelia (for Sulla's claims of Venus' favour, see Venus Felix above). Venus had played a role in the city before Sulla, the Temple of Venus in Pompeii was built sometime in the 1st century BCE. This local form of Venus had Roman, Oscan and local Pompeiian influences. Venus Physica Pompeiana represents more than love, in Pompeii she is the mother of nature and a garunteer of success in love. Venus Pompeiana is found almost exclusivley in Pompeii.

The Venus types 'Venus Pompeiana' and 'Venus Pescatrice' are found almost exclusively in Pompeii. 'Venus Pompeiana ' is typically depicted within the city in full regalia, draped with a mantle, and standing rigidly with her right arm across her chest. 'Venus Pescatrice' is usually depicted sitting down holding a fishing rod, always accompanied by landscape scenery and usually at least one cupid. Both are most commonly represented within the home, with 'Venus Pompeiana' more commonly depicted in reception spaces.