a heathen deity of the female sex.

The ancients had almost as many goddesses as gods; such were Juno, the goddess of air; Diana, the goddess of woods, &c. And under this character were represented the virtues, graces, and principal advantages of life; Truth, Justice, Piety, Liberty, Fortune, Victory, &c.

It was the peculiar privilege of the goddesses to be represented naked on medals; for it was supposed that the imagination must be awed and restrained by the consideration of the divine character.