Valer. Max. l. 2. c. 6.VENUS, the Goddess of Lasciviousness, worshipped by the Heathen. Some think that her Name is derived from the Hebrew 2 Kings xvii. 30.Word Succoth-benoth, or Venos, according to another Pronunciation. See what has been observed upon these Words. She was adored under several Apellations: The Egyptians called her Nephtis; the Assyrians, Militta; the Arabians, Alitta; the Persians, Mitra: She was also known by the Name of Tanais, at Babylon; of Erycina, in Sicily, of Aphrodite, among the Greeks. I believe she was generally worshipped in the Territories of Israel by the Name of Astarte, or Astaroth, or Averah, or the Goddess of the Groves. She is confounded with the Moon, whom the Pagans called the Heavenly Venus, and the Hebrews the Queen of Heaven, or the Goddess Meni. The God Dagon was also very probably Venus. The Dove was consecrated to this false Deity.
Three Leagues from Carthage was to be seen a Temple called Sicca Veneria, which had so much the more relation to the Succoth -benoth of the Scripture, as that Women there sacrificed their Virginity in honour of Venus, and there obtained Portions to place them out in Matrimony afterwards. Siccæ enim fanum est Veneris, in quod se matronæ conferebant, atque inde procedentes ad quæstum, dotes corporis injuria contrahebant: honesta nimirum tam inhonesto vinculo conjugia juncturæ.