Occupying a prominent position in the Acropolis East Court, this deity, which is elsewhere identified with the Night Sun, appears here to have had a close relationship with Venus, as suggested by the prominent star signs on either side of the god's face. Venus is known to have been associated with both warfare and sacrifice. It has also been suggested that the East Court functioned as a mock ballcourt for the purpose of conducting sacrifices, so the Venus imagery here would not be at all out of place. |