Ancient writers like Pliny the Elder often waxed lyrical about the statue of Aphrodite on the island of Knidos (now in south-east Turkey). Crafted in the 4th century BC by the Athenian sculptor Praxiteles, the Aphrodite of Knidos depicted the goddess of love fully naked and preparing to bathe – but demurely covering her genitals with one hand.

Historians believe that Praxiteles’ Aphrodite might be one of the most influential sculptures of ancient times, shaping later and more famous works like the Venus de Milo. But in its own time, the perfect form and erotic beauty of the Knidos Aphrodite was legendary, drawing crowds of people each day.

Secondo Plinio, un uomo era così infatuato di Afrodite che rimase intenzionalmente con lo statuto durante la notte, usandolo per il proprio piacere e lasciando il segno:

"C'è una storia in cui un uomo una volta si innamorò [dell'Afrodite] e, nascondendosi di notte, l'abbracciò, e che una macchia tradisca questo atto lussurioso."

Fonte: Plinio, Storia Naturale XXXVI.iv.21, c.79AD. Content on this page is © Alpha History 2019-23. Content may not be republished without our express permission. For more information please refer to our Condizioni d'uso or contatta Alpha History.