Mars (god) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Topics in Roman mythology Important Gods: l Jupiter l Mars l Quirinus l Vesta l Juno l Diana l Fortuna l Minerva l Mercury l Vulcan l Ceres l Venus l Lares Legendary History: l Aeneas l Romulus l Numa l Early Kings Roman religion l The Flamens Greek/Roman myth compared Mars was the Roman god of war and the son of Juno and a magical flower (or Jupiter) and initially was the Roman god of fertility and vegetation, and protector of cattle, but later he became associated with battle. As the god of spring, when his major festivals were held, he presided over agriculture in general. In his warlike aspect, Mars was offered sacrifices before combat and was said to appear on the battlefield accompanied by Bellona, a warrior goddess variously identified as his wife, sister or daughter or cousin. His wife was also said to be Nerio. In Rome, his primary temple was on the Capitol, shared with Jupiter and Quirinus. The temple to Mars Ultor ("the avenger") was in the Forum Augustus. Another temple to Mars Gradivus ("he who precedes the army in battle") was where the army gathered before leaving for a war. The Campus Martius ("field of Mars") was dedicated to him; it was where soldiers and athletes trained. Mars was called Mavors in some poetry (Virgil VIII, 630), and Mamers wa s his Oscan name. In the Regia on the Forum Romanum, the hastae Martiae were kept in a small chamb er. Any movement of the hastae Martiae, the "lances of Mars," was seen as an omen of war . If Rome was attacking, the generals moved lances and repeated Mars vigila ("Mars awaken"). file:///C /Documents%20and%20Settings/PrasannaB/Deskt...god)%20-%20Wikipedia,%20 the%20free%20encyclopedia.htm (1 of 3)2/16/2005 7:34:28 PM Mars (god) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia On March 1, the Feriae Marti was celebrated. On October 19, the Armilustrium was celebrated; the weapons of the soldiers were purifed and stored. Every five years, the Suove taurillia was celebrated; a pig, sheep and bull were sacrificed. On February 27 and March 14, the horses race of

the Equirria were held. On March 23, the Tubilustrium was celebrated by purifyin g weapons and war-trumpets. Priests of Mars and Quirinus were called Salii ("jumpers"). They were referred t o as jumpers because they jumped down streets and sang the Carmen Saliare. A priest of Mars a lone was called a flamen Martialis. Mars, unlike his Greek counterpart, Ares, was more widely worshipped than any of the other Roman gods, probably because his sons Romulus and Remus were said to have founde d Rome; the Romans called themselves sons of Mars. As the consort of Rhea Sylvia and fat her of Romulus and Remus, Mars was considered the father of the Roman people. He is associated with Quirinus, said to be the Spirit of Romulus, the founder of the City. Quirinus may have been a Sabine deity, however. In art, Mars is depicted as an armored warrior with a crested helmet. The wolf a nd woodpecker are sacred to him. His children are Fuga and Timor. The month of March and the planet of Mars were named after him.