12 questions · Mythology
Mars is the Roman god of war and after Jupiter one of the most important gods of Rome. Unlike his little-respected Greek counterpart Ares, Mars enjoyed the highest regard: he was seen as protector and ancestor of the Roman people. By legend Mars was the father of the founding twins Romulus and Remus; so the Romans saw themselves as „sons of Mars.“ Originally he was also a god of the fields and of fertility who watched over sowing and harvest. The month of March, in which military campaigns traditionally began, is named after him, as is the red planet Mars. The Field of Mars (Campus Martius), where the army gathered, was consecrated to Mars; his leaping warrior-dancers were the Salii. Good to know: Mars was Rome's war god and at once protector of the fields: war and fertility in one figure. Before a campaign the general in the temple of Mars cried „Mars, awake!“ and rattled the sacred spears. By legend Mars fathered Romulus and Remus, the founding twins of Rome. In Greece, Mars corresponds to the war god Ares: who was, however, far less respected there.
Practise for freePurFact brings every card back right before you would forget it. That's how knowledge sticks.
war
Mars was Rome's war god and at once protector of the fields: war and fertility in one figure.
💡 Did you know? Before a campaign the general in the temple of Mars cried „Mars, awake!“ and rattled the sacred spears.
of Romulus and Remus
By legend Mars fathered Romulus and Remus, the founding twins of Rome.
💡 Did you know? So the Romans saw themselves as „sons of Mars“: a warlike self-image.
Ares
In Greece, Mars corresponds to the war god Ares: who was, however, far less respected there.
💡 Did you know? The astronomical symbol for Mars (♂) today also stands for „male.“
the red planet and the month of March
The red planet and the month of March, when campaigns began, are named after Mars.
💡 Did you know? His two moons of Mars are called Phobos and Deimos: after the sons of the Greek Ares.
the Field of Mars (Campus Martius)
The Field of Mars outside the city served for army drills, musters and sport: Mars's domain.
💡 Did you know? Weapons were not allowed into the city itself; the soldiers gathered on the Field of Mars.
the Salii
The priesthood of the Salii performed armed dances with sacred shields at the start of war.
💡 Did you know? One of these shields, the ancile, was seen as a heaven-sent pledge of Rome's survival.
🔒 The other 6 questions are part of PurFact Pro.
Open in PurFactHome · All topics · Legal notice · Privacy · Terms · Contact
