Venus Castina

C.J. Bulliet

Published by Covici, Friede Publishers, New York, 1933

About the Book

Bibliographic Details

Title: Venus Castina

Publisher: Covici, Friede Publishers, New York

Publication Date: 1933

Binding: Three Quarter Leather

Illustrator: Alexander King

Book Condition: Near Fine

Edition:

Description:

Original red three quarter calf. Marbled paper covered boards, paste downs and end papers. Upper corners mildly bumped. Five gilt decorated raised bands with gilt title to the panel. Stylized full page black and white illustrations. "The Greek and Roman gods and goddesses often had various epithets or aspects, reflecting different qualities associated with them, and these were on occasion the object of special worship, often at temples being dedicated to a specific epithet of the god. Each of the different epithets of a single god usually had its own distinct feast day. Thus, for example, Venus -- the goddess of sex and love -- was also worshipped under the epithets Venus Felix (Venus the bringer of good fortune), Venus Cloacina (Venus the purifier), Venus Victix (Venus the bringer of victory), or Venus Vericordia (Venus the changer of hearts). One of the lesser-known epithets of Venus was Venus Castina, the Venus who protected the yearnings of feminine souls trapped in male bodies. This epithet of Venus is mentioned by the Greek historian Herodotus of Halicarnassus in the fifth century BC. Depictions of worshipers of Venus Castina show both men and women, all dressed in women's clothes. More information can be found in any serious reference book on classical mythology." by Melissa Tawn. A very attractive book. Bookseller Inventory # 010441