Sandro Botticelli: "Venus and Mars." The painting shows Venus resting contentedly. Little satyrs honk horns and play about Mars, as he sleeps, unaware.
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Image courtesy of the Trustees, The National Gallery, London.

Mars and Venus

Mars was the god of War. He loved violence and battle. According to Homer, even Jupiter, the father of Mars, recognized his son's bad attitude, saying to him in frustration one day, "Of all the gods of Olympus I find you the most unpleasant and unlikeable, for you enjoy nothing but violence, war and battles. You have a stubborn and mean disposition." Mars loved Venus, and their child was the beautiful goddess Harmonia.


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