Statue of Aphrodite

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Aphrodite, the legendary Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and fertility, shines brightly in history as a powerful figure. Identified with the radiant planet Venus, Aphrodite's mystique was deeply intertwined with the Roman goddess Venus, a union that spanned centuries. The majestic symbols associated with Aphrodite include myrtle, roses, doves, sparrows, and swans, each imbued with unique meanings. Aphrodite's cult was heavily influenced by the Phoenician goddess Astarte, a close relative of the East Semitic goddess Ishtar, whose worship originated from the ancient Sumerian cult of Inanna. The goddess's main shrines were situated in Cythera, Cyprus, Corinth, and Athens, where her annual midsummer festival, Aphrodisia, was joyously celebrated. In Laconia, Aphrodite was revered as a fierce warrior goddess, embodying the strength and courage that defined her people. Additionally, she served as the patron deity of prostitutes, an association that led early scholars to propose the concept of "sacred prostitution," a notion now widely discredited. Here, Aphrodite is depicted elegantly draped in flowing attire, a testament to her enduring legacy as a goddess of love and beauty.