6/25/2023 0 Comments Mars god of warThe planet now called Mars, the forth planet from the sun, has since ancient times been associated with warfare and bloodshed, likely due to the planet’s red appearance. Like many ancient deities, Mars’ legacy lives on in the naming of celestial bodies. Once every five years, fertility rites called Suovetaurilia were observed, involving the sacrifice of a pig, sheep, and cow. The Armilustrium was held on October 19, on which implements of war were purified and stored for the winter. On October 15, a festival called the October Horse was held, in which a race between two-horse chariots took place on the Campus Martius. Throughout month of March, the Salii, or “jumpers,” representing Mars along with Jupiter and Quirinus, chanted and performed war dances while wearing old-fashioned armor. Weapons and chariots were cleansed during the Quinquatrus and Tubilustrium on March 19 and 23, respectively. Horse races called Equirria were held on February 27 and March 14, and the Feriae Marti on March 1. For this reason, the month of March was named for Mars. When war was declared, the Roman consul would shake the spears, shouting “Mars vigila!” meaning, “Mars, wake up!” Augustus Caesar claimed Mars as the guardian of Roman emperors, calling him Mars Ultor, or Mars the Avenger.įestivals to Mars were held in the spring in fall, at the beginning and end of both the agricultural and military season. There were kept the sacred spears of Mars, called hastae Martiae. At the former, the god was known as Mars Gradivus, “he who proceeds the army in battle.” A sacrarium, or shrine, was located in the former king’s house, called the regia. One temple to Mars was located at the Campus Martius, the training ground and exercise arena of the Roman army, and another near the Porta Capena. It is no wonder, then, that the god of war was of great significance to their culture Romans considered themselves sons of Mars. Romans were proud of their might in warfare. The Roman Empire was built and expanded by the conquest of other nations. Instead, he is tricked into marrying Anna Perenna, a woman of great age. In this legend, Mars attempts to seduce Minerva, daughter/wife of Jupiter. Ovid’s Fasti recounts one of the few truly Roman myths, not influenced by Greek culture. There, they were suckled by a wolf and later reared by a herdsman and his wife. The new king attempted to drown the boys in the river, but they were carried downstream to the future site of Rome. However, she was visited by Mars and bore twin sons, Romulus and Remus. The former king’s daughter, Rhea Silvia, was forced to become a Vestal Virgin and take a vow of chastity so she would not bear a child that could someday reclaim the throne. The story goes that Numitor, king of a nearby city, had been deposed by his younger brother. In another myth, Mars played a role in the founding of Rome. Flora, goddess of flowering plants, gave Juno a magical herb that allowed her to conceive a child without the aid of Jupiter. For example, when Jupiter gave birth to Minerva from his head, Jupiter’s wife Juno was jealous. Myths pertaining to Mars were largely drawn from those of the Greek god Ares. In some portrayals, his reproductive organs are visible, symbolizing manliness. He is typically depicted wearing armor and carrying a spear. In early Roman history his role was somewhat different he protected cattle and was regarded as a god of nature and fertility. Mars is nearly identical to Ares, the Greek god of war. He was held as a primary god of the Roman religion and mythology, second only to Jupiter, chief of the gods. Mars was the god of war, death, and protector of the Roman state and its Caesars.
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