One of the most popular figures in Roman mythology is Mars god of war. Mars is the son of Jupiter and Juno, and has been revered widely in Roman culture over centuries. Although he is mainly attributed to warfare, he also is known as the god of agriculture, and has been known to have been worshiped primarily by both the Roman military as well as farmers of the land for his powers as a protector.
In fact, festivals dedicated to him were also celebrated during the month of march which is believed to have been named after him, as well as the month of October, which is believed to be the time marked by the the beginning and conclusion of military campaigning and farming activities in the region at the time.
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Greek Counterpart of the Mars God
Although the Mars god is the one worshiped in Roman mythology, he has a Greek counterpart, Ares, who is known to have a negative symbolism and image attached to him, which is why Ares has been the subject of contempt under the Greek belief system.
Mars on the other hand has been seen as the protector of the Roman people and the nation of Rome, which is why he is considered a hero. While the Mars god is seen in a positive light overall, there are some versions where he is marked for his savage nature. This connection was brought on by Mars’ relationship to the woodlands.
Temple of Mars Ultor
One of the prominent ancient temples of the Mars god is situated in Campus Martius, known as the grounds for Roman military training and exercise. This temple has been known to be dedicated to Mars by the legendary king Numa Pompilius. However, although there were only two early temples for Mars, the Emperor Augustus brought more prominence to him, and transformed his worship into a bigger affair.
Under Augustus, Mars came to be known as Mars Ultor or Mars the Avenger, becoming Caesar’s own private guardian and avenger. This interpretation made his worship by the Roman military even more significant, at times even surpassing Jupiter.
Mars God of Agriculture
In addition to being the god of war, our featured deity was also known as Mars god of agriculture. He had the power to create conditions which allow crops to grow and thrive, warding off natural forces that can otherwise cause harm to crops or the soil, hampering food production. These abilities have led to the conclusion that virility and virtue were characteristic features of this Roman god.
Mars also stands as a prominent figure in Roman mythology by virtue of being the father of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. If that doesn’t make for a strong preliminary to to an origin story, then I don’t know what would!
The stories of Mars are plenty, however, different accounts bringing out different characteristics and genealogical facts about this Roman deity. Nevertheless, while some details may vary in every iteration, the common factor remains that the Mars god was and still is extensively worshiped as Rome’s protector.