Also called Mars Gradivus, Mars Ultor, Marspiter, Mavors.
Their story
Mars was the father of Romulus and Remus by the priestess Rhea Silvia, and so the father of the Roman people. Under King Numa a sacred shield fell from the sky as a pledge of Rome's safety, and eleven copies were made so it could never be stolen. His priests, the Salii, danced through the city with the shields each March.
Their day
Tuesday. Tuesday was dies Martis, the day of Mars, still mardi in French.
Best times to give to them
- the month of March, named for him
- the Kalends of March, the old Roman new year
- the Armilustrium on 19 October, when weapons were purified
- Tuesdays
What they like being given
- spelt or grain
- a libation of wine or grape juice
- incense
- laurel
- a small cake
How to honour them
- Walk the boundaries of your home or garden in spring and ask Mars to protect it, as Roman farmers did.
- Give him thanks after meeting a hard challenge with courage.
- Keep your body strong and disciplined as an offering to him.
- Support veterans or those who protect others.
How they can help you
- courage and determination
- protection of home and land
- physical strength
- healthy growth of crops and gardens
- discipline
Symbols
- spear
- shield (ancile)
- wolf
- woodpecker
- helmet
Cato preserves a farmer's prayer to Mars asking him to keep sickness and storms from the fields, a reminder that he was a guardian of farms as well as armies.
More Roman gods
- Jupiter Best and greatest, guardian of Rome
- Mercury Patron of merchants, messages and journeys
- Janus Two-faced god of doors and beginnings
- Saturn King of the golden age and lord of the harvest
- Sol Invictus The unconquered sun, reborn at midwinter
- Neptune Lord of fresh water and the sea
- Vulcan God of fire, both destroying and forging
- Apollo (in Rome) Healer and prophet adopted by Rome