Venus: Goddess of Love? Goddess of War? with Mary Beard

Hands up, this is far shorter than our normal videos. However, when you get 3 minutes with British Museum Trustee and world-renowned classist Professor Mary Beard, you take that 3 minutes.

And so, with neck-break speed, Mary is going to tell you a little about why Venus, often referred to as the Roman goddess of love, was so important to the Roman military and idea of warfare. Because if Venus is good enough for Caesar, she's good enough for the legions.

[Jokercard]

Disappointed it’s only 2 minutes! We need an hour

[SohamShivoham]

Venus is more beautiful, graceful & sensitive than any one can imagine. She's infinitely knowledgeable & preceptor of those who seeks her refuge. Oh Gorgeous Goddess of love, beauty & pleasures please shine in my heart and show me the right path.

[AviNyan]

She's so enthusiastic! I could listen to her for hours!

[NightTimeDay]

I'm currently reading SPQR, it's inspiring to hear THE Mary herself speak so enthusiastically!

[annettefournier]

I don't always 100% agree with Mary's politics but I do admire her passion on her ancient subjects. Could and have listened to her for hours.

[MrFirefox]

an interesting thought about desire: if in fact human action in someway bottoms out at satisfying our desires, and reason stands as a method to achieving this, then it seems Venus/Aphrodite might be far more interesting that we often give her credit for...more than just simply "beautiful" but in fact the central cause of all action. interesting

[KyngofJewel]

The goddess Venus came from various transitions. From the Babylonian Ishtar to becoming the Phoenician goddess Astarte (later demonized by Christians as Astaroth). This Phoenician Astarte was later spread to the Aegean, originally in southern Greece and especially in Sparta, where she became Aphrodite Areia ("Aphrodite the Warlike").

[mojosbigsticks]

Ah yes, the famous "Venus Surprised By Sculptor".

[athenaartfoundation]

Mary has a wonderful way of expressing so much in such a short space of time, with such enthusiasm.

[starcapture]

Bettany Hughes wrote Extremely good book about Aphrodite and her Origin of Story.

[starcapture]

there is a very nice song by a band called Therion the song is called Birth of Venus Illegitima 🤘

[queenchauncey]

Excellent! Thank you! What a passionate speaker!!!

[BiohazardBunney]

She was everything Inanna was. Everything Hathor was. Not just beauty and love, but the passion in success and power. War is a part of that.

[grahamturner]

I'm reminded of the Simpsons episode about Michelangelo's David... 😊

[EimiHoward-fitk]

does anybody know the statue she is discussing in this video?

[cantsay]

Venus? its original time, Would the statue have been holding a cloth like in the paintings of venus?

[chapultepec]

Now someone is speaking my language.."BLACKLADY BUGLUCK "

[lugalke]

Venus is a copy of the Greek Aphrodite. And Aphrodite is a copy from the Phoenician Astarte. Astarte is a copy of the Sumerian-Babylonian Ishtar. Ishtar is the goddess of war and love.

[TMPreRaff]

How was it decided that she was originally seen as so “shocking”?

[bingeltube]

Why was she a goddess of war? The video is too short!