Myths On the Roman go Mars
Introduction
This paper provides is aimed at discussing the myths about the Roman god Mar and provides interesting information regarding the legend and the stories of the Roman mythology about Mars who was the Roman god of war. The article is going to provide a historical background concerning the origin of Mar; some of the festivals and rituals and other activities that were performed in order to honor this god; his role in the Roman Empire as a god; his place in pantheon; his nature and attributes and other general information as the god of war in the Roman empire
History and Nature of Mass
Mars was the Roman god of war. Mars was one of the most famous and worshiped gods in the Roman Pantheon. In early Roman history he was a god of spring, growth in nature, and fertility, and the protector of cattle. Mars is also mentioned as a chthonic god (earth-god) and this could explain why he became a god of death and finally a god of war. (Williams. 2008 p.22)Mars was regarded as one of the most crucial god after Jupiter, and was the strongest god of military in the religion of the Roman army. The most glorious temple established by the Roman to in honor of Mar, their God of war was built by the Emperor Augustus in the Forum, to venerate the demise of the murderers of Julius Caesar. His main characteristic was Virility which is a form of life force. As a god of agriculture, he focused his abilities on establishing conditions that enable crops to grow, which may involve warding off unfavorable forces of nature. Consequently the embodiment of the masculine aggression in the force that controls wars that seeks to enhance peace. His potential for savagery is illustrate Mars’ vague links to wild animals and there is probability that he emerged as a god of the wild.
Festival, Rituals and Sacrifice
Majority of the religious festivals were held in March and October, basically because October marked the end and beginning of the military operation and agriculture while March was the month name for him that is Latin Marius. The Festival of Ides in October involved chariot races whereby the right handed horse of the team that emerged victorious was given to him as a sacrifice (Littletom, 2005 p 839). However, at a given point human sacrifices were also offered to him and these were mainly prisoners but the practice was later stopped. Armilustrium was also one of the most significant festivals that was held in October where military weapons of the Roman soldiers were sanctified ritually after which they were stored away for winter. Wild animals were not sacrificed to Mars since they were viewed as belonging to their god with to which they were sacred. Occasionally, Mars received domestic animals such as Oxen under a few of his cult titles that is Mar Grabovius, but the normal offering was bull that was either offered together with other animals, in multiples or singly.
Role of Mars
Mars was represented in a shape of a warrior and he was expressed wearing armor and a crested helmet while carrying a shield. The Roman soldiers performed intense exercise at the campus Martius that is the field of Mars that was situated away from the city walls (Grafton et al 2010 p.564).In pantheon the place of mass was a second god after Jupiter. Consequently, Mars fits within the Archetypes of the Roman god since he was the god of wars with whom Roman believe that he influenced their victory. Moreover, the god of war wars worshipped on the capital in the temple that he shared with Jupiter the biggest of all the roman gods and Quirinus who was another god of war. The Roman soldiers normally assembled at the site of the temple of mars Gradvisu prior to going to war. The Greek god of war that is Ares was also identified to Mars. However, contrary to mass, Area was cruel and vain. He was said to have married Bellona, a serpent-haired goddess that signified both conflict and peace.
Conclusion
This paper has provided part of the general information concerning Mar, the Roman God of war. The paper has provided a brief overview of the history of mars that emerged as a god of growth nature and fertility to the god of war. It has been seen that Mars was one of the most prominent gods and above him there was only Jupiter. The major festivals to honor this god were mainly done in august and match and his sacrifices were primarily made up of edible domestic animals. The god of war was worshipped as the Roman god having supremacy over spring, fertility, fields, crops, vegetation, cattle and other livestock while his sacred animal were the woodpecker and wolf. Mars influences today are society by leading to tourist attraction in Rome, thereby leading to generation of revenue that boosts economy.
Reference
Anthony grafton, Glan Most & Salvatore Settis.2010. The Classical Edition.Harvad university press.Harvad.
Littletom, C. S.2005. Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology. Marshall Cavendish.Singapore
Williams. W.2008. The Original Dysfunctional Family: Basic Classical Mythology for the New Millennium. Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers.london
