The New Student's Reference Work/Venus (mythology)

Ve'nus, the Roman goddess of love, subsequently identified with the Greek Aphrodite. Originally, Venus does not seem to have occupied a conspicuous place in the religion of the Romans, and she scarcely figures in the history of Rome under the kings; but gradually, as the myth of the Trojan origin of Rome gained ground, the worship of Venus emerged into importance. Aphrodite was the mother of Æneas, and Aphrodite became Venus. Ares was Mars, and Mars was the national god of the Roman people; then, as in Greek mythology Aphrodite was beloved of Ares, so Venus was represented as the paramour of Mars, and thus was advanced by the poets to the dignity of the divine mother of the Roman people. Several temples were erected to her in Rome at different times and under different names, and rites were celebrated in her honor during the month of April—the springtime of the year being thought favorable to the growth of the tender emotions.