Failing to put up the statues, the heir was required to pay a fine to Venus Erycina--to enrich, that is, the worship of that goddess, who had a favorite temple under Mount Eryx.

The statues had been duly erected.
But, nevertheless, here there was an opening.

So Verres goes to work, and in the name of Venus brings an action against Dio.

The verdict is given, not in favor of Venus but in favor of Verres.
This manner of paying honor to the gods, and especially to Venus, was common in Sicily.

Two sons[115] received a fortune from their father, with a condition that, if some special thing were not done, a fine should be paid to Venus.