---
title: Mars
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Mars/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-03-31
---
# Mars
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Mars was the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) of [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) and second only to [Jupiter](https://www.worldhistory.org/jupiter/) in the Roman [pantheon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pantheon/). Although most of the myths involving Mars were borrowed from the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) god of war [Ares](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ares/), Mars did have some uniquely Roman features. Mars is considered more level-headed than the impulsive and disruptive Ares. Mars is also a more virtuous figure to the more martial-oriented Romans.
Mar was a protector of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) and the Roman way of life. He defended [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) borders and frontiers. Important festivals connected to [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) were held in his honour and the god was also closely associated with the wolf and woodpecker.
### [Romulus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Romulus_and_Remus/) & Remus
Mars was considered the father of [Romulus and Remus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Romulus_and_Remus/), the mythical twin founders of Rome. According to the story, their mother, the [Vestal Virgin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vestal_Virgin/) [Rhea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rhea/) Silvia, was raped by Mars while she slept, and in her dreams she had a vision where she dropped a hairpin to the ground, and from which there sprang two twin trees. Over time one of the trees grew so large that it covered the entire world with its shade, a reference to the ultimate success of Romulus and the growth of the huge [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/).
Another myth concerning the god of war, this one uniquely Roman, was his marriage to Anna Perenna. The story is re-told in [Ovid](https://www.worldhistory.org/ovid/)'s *Fasti* and begins with Mars falling in love with no less a figure than [Minerva](https://www.worldhistory.org/Minerva/), but the virgin goddess of wisdom and [crafts](https://www.worldhistory.org/crafts/), wholly unimpressed, rejected his amorous advances. Wondering how he could better impress Minerva and win her favour, Mars sought the help of Anna Perenna, the aged goddess of New Year and Time. However, Anna Perenna quite fancied the handsome war god for herself, and so she double-crossed Mars by disguising herself as Minerva and, wearing a veil, she tricked the god into marrying her. This famous episode of feminine guile was commemorated in Rome on the Ides of March (the 15th) when young girls would sing risqué songs.
### Martius & Festivals
The month of Martius (March) was named after the god. Important festivals and ceremonies, usually connected to the preparation and closure of military campaigns, were held in honour of the god in March and October and carried out by Mars' specially dedicated priests, the *flamen Martialis*. These rites may also have been connected to [agriculture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Agriculture/) but the nature of Mars' role in this area of Roman life is disputed by scholars. The first festival of the year was actually on the 27th of February with the first Equirria, then followed a busy March. There was the *feriae Marti* festival, held on the 1st of March (the old New Year's Day), the second Equirria on the 14th, the *agonium Martiale* on the 17th, the Quinquatrus on the 19th (in later times Minerva would assume Mars' role), and the Tubilustrium on the 23rd of March (and again on the 23rd of May). The details of these festivals are sometimes sketchy, but most were related to war and the instruments of warfare. The Tubilustrium involved a series of rites to cleanse and favour trumpets, whilst the Equirria was to ensure all would be well with the horses when on campaign. Another important ritual was performed by the commander of the army about to depart who shook the sacred spears of the god which were kept in the Regia. The general shouted '*Mars vigilia*' and, no doubt, asked for a swift and easy victory.
[  Fresco of a Statue of Mars, Pompeii Carole Raddato (CC BY-NC-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2232/fresco-of-a-statue-of-mars-pompeii/ "Fresco of a Statue of Mars, Pompeii")In addition to the festivals where Mars was the central deity, he was also involved with ceremonies relating to the ancient triad of gods which included himself, Jupiter, and Quirinus. On the 1st, 9th and 23rd of March, the priests of this sacred trio, the Salii, sang hymns and dressed themselves in [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/)-age armour which included the ancient *ancilia* figure-of-eight shields. Mars again took centre stage during the Equus October, held on the 15th of that month. This was when a great horse race was held in the Campus Martius of Rome. No doubt the winner of the race won great honour and favour amongst the public, but the fate of one of the horses of the winning team was less fortunate, for the animal was sacrificed with the head becoming a much sought-after prize by the local residents. Finally, there was the Armilustrium festival on the 19th of October, held on the Aventine and which involved the purification of weapons before they were stored away for the winter.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Campbell, B. (ed). *The Oxford Handbook of Warfare in the Classical World.* Oxford University Press, USA, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0195304659/)
- [Hornblower, S. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, USA, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/)
- [National Geographic. *National Geographic Essential Visual History of World Mythology.* National Geographic, 2008.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/142620373X/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Questions & Answers
### What is the god Mars known for?
Mars is known for being the Roman god of war. He was the second most important Roman god after Jupiter.
### What is Mars to Romulus and Remus?
In Roman mythology, Mars is the father of Romulus and Remus, the mythical twin founders of Rome.
### What is the difference between Mars and Ares?
The difference between Roman Mars and Greek Ares is that despite both being war gods, Mars was seen as a more positive figure by the Romans, he is less disruptive to human affairs and more virtuous than Ares.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2014, January 16). Mars. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Mars." *World History Encyclopedia*, January 16, 2014. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Mars." *World History Encyclopedia*, 16 Jan 2014, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 16 January 2014. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.