Vejo′vis. “Little Jupiter”—a name given to Jupiter when he appeared without his thunder.
Veju′piter, see Vejovis.
Vengeance, see Nemesis.
Ve′nus. The goddess of beauty, and mother of love. She is said to have sprung from the foam of the sea, and was immediately carried to the abode of the gods on Olympus, where they were all charmed with her extreme beauty. Vulcan married her, but she permitted the attentions of others of the gods, and notably of Mars, their offspring being Hermione, Cupid, and Anteros. After this she left Olympus and fell in love with Adonis, a beautiful youth, who was killed when hunting a wild boar. Venus indirectly caused the Trojan War, for, when the goddess of discord had thrown amongst the goddesses the golden apple inscribed “To the fairest,” Paris adjudged the apple to Venus, and she inspired him with love for Helen, wife of Menelaus, King of Sparta. Paris carried off Helen to Troy, and the Greeks pursued and besieged the city (see Helen, Paris, and Troy). Venus is mentioned by the classic poets under the names of Aphrodite, Cypria, Urania, Astarte, Paphia, Cythera, and the laughter-loving goddess. Her favourite residence was at Cyprus. Incense alone was usually offered on her altars, but if there was a victim it was a white goat. Her attendants were Cupids and the Graces.
Verti′cor′dia. A Roman name of Venus, signifying the power of love to change the hard hearted. The corresponding Greek name was Epistrophia.
Vertum′nus. God of spring, or, as some mythologists say, of the seasons; the husband of Pomona, the goddess of orchards.
Ves′ta, daughter of Saturn and Cybele, was the goddess of fire. She had under her special care and protection a famous statue of Minerva, before which the Vestal Virgins kept a fire or lamp constantly burning.
Ves′tal Vir′gins were the priestesses of Vesta, whose chief duty was to see that the sacred fire in the temple of Vesta was not extinguished. They were always selected from the best families, and were under a solemn vow of chastity, and compelled to live perfectly pure lives.
Via′lis. A name of Mercury, because he presided over the making of roads.
Vic′tory. A goddess, the daughter of Styx and Acheron, generally represented as flying in the air holding out a wreath of laurel. See Nicephorus.