Mars, God of Agriculture and War

Symbol of War Babylonian god of War – Nergal Roman god of War – Mars Greek god of War – Ares Astrology – Commander of the Solar System, animal instincts

How everything came to be… Romans believed there was first Chaos, the first principle From Chaos: Gaia – the earth Tartarus – the depths of the earth Erebrus – the darkness of Tartarus Night Eros – the “mingling god”

From the Gods Jupiter, the earth god, rises to power and controls all beings Mortals were created Juno is the sky goddess Sacred union of Jupiter and Juno  Mars is born

Mars, the father of the Romans Most important god after Jupiter Mars mates with Rhea Sylvia, who becomes a goddess Twin sons: Remus and Romulus Romulus kills Remus and takes over the city of Rome

Romulus kills Remus and takes over the city of Rome Rome is a city of criminals and has few women Romulus invites the Sabine Women for religious games but the women are seized by the Romans With Sabine queen, Romulus founds Rome Romans : “Sons of Mars”

Roman-Greek Gods Jupiter – Zeus Juno - Hera Mars – Ares Venus – Aphrodite

God of Fields and Ripening Italian god Mars was the protector of fields, ripener of fruits and grain Prayers were said before preparing the land March was named after him As Romans turned into warriors from farmers, Mars became the god of war

God of War Warrior in full battle armour Wolf and the woodpecker are his symbols Lover of Venus, the goddess of love and fertility Protector of gardens and flowers

City of Rome

Temples of Mars Mars Gradivus – “he who precedes the army in battle” Roman army gathered here before going to war Campus Martius – field of Mars: training area of the army Lances of Mars – kept in the centre of the city

Festivals for Mars Festival of Mars – beginning of the year in the pre-Julian calendar Citizens vote on political and criminal matters Fields are ready for spring Warriors,horses and armour are purified for the new year and the new battles Salii dance around the city for Mars

19th October, war season is over, the army is purified for the winter – Armilustrium Suovetaurilia – sacrifice of pig (sus), sheep (ovis) and bull (taurus), for purifying purposes Masculine, powerful and aggressive

Ares, Greek god of war Less popular than Mars Attributed less profound aspects of war as brutality and waste Very similar to Mars but not as important in Greek mythology

Mars in Astrology Controls the basic feelings as temper, anger and sexual desire Commander of the solar system Associated with Aries which is confident, intelligent, impulsive, violent and quick tempered.

To conclude Maybe lost some of the importance in people’s lives Still occupies minds From a feared god to the neighbouring planet…