Roman Gods index

Mars


Title: God of war

Greek name: Ares

Month: March

Day of the Week: Tuesday
Relations: Son of Jupiter
Father of Romulus and Remus

English word: Martial means warlike.

Solar system: planet Mars

The Romans were great soldiers and thought Mars, the god of War, was very important. They said that he was the father of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. When Romulus and Remus were babies, they were left to die. But they were found by a mother wolf, who suckled them. Romulus gave his name to Rome.

The Campus Martius or field of Mars, was next to the river Tiber in in ancient Rome. It was used to train soldiers and hold horse races. March was called after Mars because that was when the soldiers started fighting again after winter.

Mars
Venus and Mars Here is a painting of Mars and Venus. Mars is fast asleep. The little fauns with goats legs are playing with his armour. One of them is just about to blow his horn very loud in Mars's ear. I wonder what will happen next!