# Venus Speciosa — Marius the Epicurean character guide

> Venus Speciosa in Marius the Epicurean by Walter Pater.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Venus, the true Venus, ancient Venus

**First appearance:** 0003-part-i-i-the-religion-of-numa

## Who they are

The goddess of love, whose temple and cult are described in Marius's early religious experiences.

## Relationships

### [Psyche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/psyche)

_psychological_

Venus Speciosa, as a divine figure, represents an idealized beauty that Psyche both pursues and is tormented by, embodying a psychological obsession with perfection.

### [Psyche](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/psyche)

_psychological_

Venus Speciosa, as a divine figure, represents an idealized beauty that Psyche both pursues and is tormented by, embodying a psychological obsession with perfection.

## In the story

### [The Golden Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-i-v-the-golden-book)

The goddess Venus, angered by the worship of Psyche, sets in motion the trials and punishments.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/venus_speciosa
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters