carleeiigh's review against another edition
4.0
As someone who knows very very little about Greek/Roman mythology, I loved this as a starting point!
I loved seeing the known origins of a Aphrodite-like goddess in Astarte, Ishtar, etc, and how it transformed as cultures came together. How she was worshipped, her children (even a nonbinary (for today's verbiage) child who was worshipped!) and some of her lovers, how her temples were converted to Christianity and thus Venus was in a way white washed as a symbol of women "should be"
My few complaints are that its very short. I want to know about the similarities of worship between her and the Virgin Mary! I want to know how she played into Renaissance art, how exactly it morphed to a "gaudy, one dimensional form." Then back again as a feminist figure. There's a lot just sort of mentioned, I would like an expansion of all these chapters!
I loved seeing the known origins of a Aphrodite-like goddess in Astarte, Ishtar, etc, and how it transformed as cultures came together. How she was worshipped, her children (even a nonbinary (for today's verbiage) child who was worshipped!) and some of her lovers, how her temples were converted to Christianity and thus Venus was in a way white washed as a symbol of women "should be"
My few complaints are that its very short. I want to know about the similarities of worship between her and the Virgin Mary! I want to know how she played into Renaissance art, how exactly it morphed to a "gaudy, one dimensional form." Then back again as a feminist figure. There's a lot just sort of mentioned, I would like an expansion of all these chapters!
mallaeuswastaken's review against another edition
3.0
A great historical review of the world's favorite goddess.
A lot of information in here I would never have known otherwise, presented in a format that's incredibly easy to digest and understand without any prior knowledge of Classical myth or history.
Proof that Venus is more than just a pretty face.
A lot of information in here I would never have known otherwise, presented in a format that's incredibly easy to digest and understand without any prior knowledge of Classical myth or history.
Proof that Venus is more than just a pretty face.
longhairzuko's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
4.0
I'm giving this 4 stars instead of 5 because of some kinda outdated and cishet-centric language.
chthonic_child's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing journey across Aphrodite and her ancestors. I loved the powerful way this has been written and introduces her storyline and how you can still recognize elements of her past in contemporary time!
ehmannky's review against another edition
Unless you are REALLY into tracking how the concept of Venus and Aphrodite evolved over time, I feel like you can skip this book. It boils down to “Aphrodite comes from goddesses of war and sex, and then eventually becomes just goddess of sexual desire and love when patriarchy becomes more entrenched in the Mediterranean. ”