When I visited the Castello di Venere of Erice in September, it was shrouded in fog, which is a sight scene often because its position 2460 feet above sea level. Come with me to pay homage to Venus, who was worshiped at this spot, where a temple existed for centuries, on Day 12 of our…
Tag: afrodite
What The Ancients Did For Love
The town of Erice (pronounced Èh-ree-chay) boasts a 12th century Norman castle, pictured, top, Il Castello di Venere or the Castle of Venus, which was built over an ancient Roman temple dedicated to the goddess of love. Those seeking romance and success with procreation would climb 2460 feet to the top of Mount Eryx’s magnificent…
Seeking Aphrodite, Goddess of Love
In ancient Sicily, Aphrodite was one of the most venerated Greek goddesses. The goddess of love, beauty, and pleasure, she was especially important in western Sicily, where in Erice, her temple–known since Roman times as the Temple of Venus (her Roman name)–was a destination of pilgrims for centuries. Those seeking romance and success with love…
A Crown and a Dove
Clay statuette of Persephone-Aphrodite; On the goddess’ chest is the winged god Eros, who is holding a dove and a crown. This piece is dated to be from 460 B.C.E. I photographed it in Siracusa’s Museo Orsi.