In the memory of Robert Schilling, scholars recall his contribution to classical studies and religions in Rome and Greece in a book edited by Nicole Belayche, Yves Lehmann , ‘Religions de Rome: dans le sillage des travaux de Robert Schilling. Recherches sur les rhétoriques religieuse’ which has been very nicely reviewed by Christopher Smith, of University of St Andrews in (BMCR, 2018.02.28) .

Charm of Venus, and this deity’s connection with wine and the Vinalia, and her operation as an intermediary with Jupiter have been well treated in various ancient texts.

Geographically the concentration of power was with Rome, and this reveals Venus as a deity to the whole of the ‘inhabited world’; and divine and religious treatment of Venus should be seen neither with Sulla nor with Augustus, but with all living traditions.

In the imperial period, Roman influence came from Rome as it was birthplace of Rama, of the epic the Ramayana; Roman contribution in the evolution of Greek religion is a topic for present day academic interest only. During Homer’s time no such religious distinctions are observed.

Oriental influences as separate ingredients to the development of religious activities in antiquity should be avoided to see the whole of the living world under the influence of Greek thoughts and Roman administration.

The connection posited between Astarte and Venus brings home the real geographical situations of the ancient Jerusalem which was at the heart of Astarte.

Religions of the ancient world can be seen very clearly if a scholar looks at the map of Jambudvipa of Ptolemy. Its four sides refer to religions followed by the people of the entire ‘inhabited world’. How tribes in spite of their geographical differences pursued their religion with a common spirit can be visualised from this map alone.

Venus as Bhanu of the Indian puranic tradition enjoys one of the eight seats of the Astarte Gods. Aphrodite as Parbati is not in this group of Gods in whose middle was ancient Jerusalem, seat of worship of Yama, the God of Death.

Janus, Juno, Zeno, Zion, Jin, Gina, and Jina, all refer to one typical geographical plain in the Negev and the wisdom of the Buddhas, all of whom were born and died in one defined geographical boundary in spite of their different times of appearance on earth. House of Achilles refers to the House of the Buddha itself; Buddha was a Greek philosopher and Kapilavastu was a Greek settlement on the bank of the river Saraswati, same as the river Rohini.

History of solar cult marks the history of the ancient world; its entry into Christianity shows that birth of this religion is nowhere in Europe or in the Middle East. Emperor Aurelian’s contribution to solar cult marks his nativity at Ur, where Abraham’s father Azar was ruling. It was that ancient city where this culture first developed. Abraham on his way to Uruk from Uru destroyed some of the idols relating to solar deities.

Vergil’s Aeneid, Plato’s Phaedo and the Orphic tradition identify one geographical plain, i.e. the River Tigris and Euphrates, same as the river Bagha and Iravati river respectively; Tigris or Bagha river’s origin is linked to Kasyapa Rishi, or Kasyapa Buddha.