'Britannia' is really Roman Minerva, Greek Athena goddess

[TonyGosling]

From previous Bohemian Grove 2013 post

[TonyGosling]

Minerva was the goddess of wisdom, war, art, schools and commerce.
Cult in Rome
Menrva was part of a holy triad with Tinia and Uni, equivalent to the Roman Capitoline Triad of Jupiter-Juno-Minerva. Minerva was the daughter of Jupiter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minerva


Britannia's saucy new pose on commemorative Royal Mint coin
08:38, 2 AUG 2013 BY RUKI SAYID
The iconic face of the nation has had a 21st century glamour model makeover to reveal a naked left breast
Boob Britannia! The iconic face of the nation has had a 21st century glamour model makeover to reveal a naked left breast.


Respected portrait sculptor Robert Hunt has redefined the iconic warrior queen after one in four Brits failed to identify her.

She now appears in a saucy new pose on a commemorative Royal Mint coin designed to boost her popularity.

Draped in robes, the figure of Britannia is seen reclining and looking outwards with an owl on her knee - but with her left breast clearly visible, for the first time ever.

Winchester based Mr Hunt exclusively told the Mirror his bold image of Britannia symbolised the nurturing side of womanhood along with “unashamed beauty and strength”.

The artist, a member of The Society of Portrait Sculptors, said: “We have a classical tradition in this country of using Greek and Roman designs, for example on vases.

“The background to the dress used and how it is draped over her is based on three underlying areas of symbolism.

“Firstly, Britannia is turning to look behind, to her left, with her breast bared symbolising unashamed beauty and strength.

“It also represents nurture, a natural biological function, symbolic of nurturing the country with her strength and vigour. Also her left breast is where her heart is positioned, baring her truthfulness and honesty”.

While her outward gaze is said to symbolise listening to the outside world and the owl represents wisdom, her sexy new image will now distinguish her from the women she has been confused with in the past.

According to a Royal Mint study, the female symbol of Roman Britain has been wrongly identified by Brits as late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Queen Victoria and Joan of Arc.

Even though she has featured on British coins since 1672, one in ten think the warrior queen is Boadicea with some believing she is our Queen or Roman goddess Athena.

In a bid to raise awareness of her status, the Royal Mint has given Britannia a facelift to modernise her look to make her more appealing to a new generation.

The first images of Britannia on coins date back to the Roman Empire but she first appeared on British coins 341 years ago, but was always fully clothed.

Shane Bissett, director of commemorative coins at The Royal Mint, said: “Over the past 350 years artists and sculptors designing the nation’s coinage have chosen to show her reflecting the prevailing mood and national sentiment – so she can very much lay claim to being the face of the nation.

“We felt that it was only right that we undertake this campaign to ensure that everyone in the United Kingdom understands what she represents – and gets an opportunity to learn more about the history of a figure who, in ever-changing ways, represents us all.”

Prices for coins start from £39 for a set of two silver coins and £100 for a gold one to £3,100 for a set of five gold coins.


Britannia's saucy new pose on commemorative Royal Mint coin https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/marlboroughgroup/eoCPN59iupg
2 Aug 2013 08:38
The iconic face of the nation has had a 21st
century glamour model makeover to reveal a naked left breast
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/britannias-saucy-new-pose-comm emorative-2116184

Emacs!

Boob Britannia! The iconic face of the nation has
had a 21st century glamour model makeover to reveal a naked left breast.

Respected portrait sculptor Robert Hunt has
redefined the iconic warrior queen after one in
four Brits failed to identify her.
She now appears in a saucy new pose on a
commemorative Royal Mint coin designed to boost her popularity.
Draped in robes, the figure of Britannia is seen
reclining and looking outwards with an owl on her
knee - but with her left breast clearly visible, for the first time ever.
Winchester based Mr Hunt exclusively told the
Mirror his bold image of Britannia symbolised the
nurturing side of womanhood along with “unashamed beauty and strength”.
The artist, a member of The Society of Portrait
Sculptors, said: “We have a classical tradition
in this country of using Greek and Roman designs, for example on vases.
“The background to the dress used and how it is
draped over her is based on three underlying areas of symbolism.
“Firstly, Britannia is turning to look behind, to
her left, with her breast bared symbolising unashamed beauty and strength.
“It also represents nurture, a natural biological
function, symbolic of nurturing the country with
her strength and vigour. Also her left breast is
where her heart is positioned, baring her truthfulness and honesty”.
While her outward gaze is said to symbolise
listening to the outside world and the owl
represents wisdom, her sexy new image will now
distinguish her from the women she has been confused with in the past.
According to a Royal Mint study, the female
symbol of Roman Britain has been wrongly
identified by Brits as late Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher, Queen Victoria and Joan of Arc.
Even though she has featured on British coins
since 1672, one in ten think the warrior queen is
Boadicea with some believing she is our Queen or Roman goddess Athena.
In a bid to raise awareness of her status, the
Royal Mint has given Britannia a facelift to
modernise her look to make her more appealing to a new generation.
The first images of Britannia on coins date back
to the Roman Empire but she first appeared on
British coins 341 years ago, but was always fully clothed.
Shane Bissett, director of commemorative coins at
The Royal Mint, said: “Over the past 350 years
artists and sculptors designing the nation’s
coinage have chosen to show her reflecting the
prevailing mood and national sentiment – so she
can very much lay claim to being the face of the nation.
“We felt that it was only right that we
undertake this campaign to ensure that everyone
in the United Kingdom understands what she
represents – and gets an opportunity to learn
more about the history of a figure who, in
ever-changing ways, represents us all.”
Prices for coins start from £39 for a set of two
silver coins and £100 for a gold one to £3,100 for a set of five gold coins.