Download Mars perceptions from Ancient Times

Mars in Ancient History
Due to its red color, Mars
was associated with the
idea of spilled blood and
came to be know in
Western mythology as the
god of war.
The planet Mars is named for
the Roman God
Mars, the Roman God of War, was one
of the most worshipped and revered
gods throughout ancient Rome.
The month of March (Martius) is
named for him.
He was the god of spring, growth in
nature, and fertility, and the protector of
cattle.
Mars was seen as a symbol for
war and fire in many other
cultures around the ancient world
• The Greeks knew Mars as Ares
the god of war and pestilence
• The Babylonians called Mars
Negral (the fire star)
• In ancient Chinese astronomical
charts it was Ying Hou (fire planet)
Mars was the son of Jupiter and Juno and
according to the legend, fathered Romulus
and Remus, the founders of Rome.
Due to this lineage, the Romans felt as
though they were the children of Mars and
he was their protector.
Mars is portrayed as a
warrior in full battle armor,
wearing a crested helmet
and bearing a shield.
His sacred animals are the
wolf and the woodpecker.
Mars is accompanied by
Fuga and Timor, the
personifications of flight
and fear.
Festivals of Mars
Mars had several festivals in his
honor.
•On March 1, the Feriae of Marti
was celebrated.
•The Armilustruim was held on
October 19, and on this day the
weapons of the soldiers were
ritually purified and stored for
winter.
•Every five years the
Suovetaurilia was held. During
these fertility and cleansing rites,
a pig, a sheep, and a bull were
sacrificed.
Mars is often likened to
his Greek counterpart,
Ares the Greek God of
War. However, it is
important to remember
that these gods are not
the same.
Ares was tall and
handsome, but vain and
cruel and was feared by
the Greeks and loathed
by his parents.
Mars:
Roman
God of
War
Ares:
Greek
God of
War
Whereas, Mars was
regarded as a protector
of Rome and greatly
worshiped.
Phobos and Deimos
Ares fathered many children
with Aphrodite, (Venus),
including his constant
companions in the battle
field, Phobos (Panic), and
Deimos (Fear).
Phobos and Deimos are the
two moons of Mars yet are
only associated with the
Greek god and not the
Roman.
Phobos
Deimos