The main Roman gods and goddesses were ‘adopted’ from the Greeks with a few tweaks, nonetheless, they are interesting characters. Here are a few fun facts about the Roman god Mars:

1. Mars was the god of war.

Mars was mostly revered as the Roman god of war, representing the elements of combat, strife, and military tactics. Romans thought that his power had a significant impact on how wars and battles turned out.

2. He was the founder of Rome.

In Roman mythology, Mars was essential to the establishment of Rome. According to legend, he was the father of the twin brothers Romulus and Remus, who are credited with founding the city of Rome.

3. He was pretty much the same as the Greek god Ares.

Mars is quite similar to the Greek god Ares, who stood for the elements of battle and conflict. Both gods were highly esteemed by their respective societies for their prowess in battle and were frequently portrayed as strong warriors.

4. The planet Mars is named after him.

The Roman god is the source of the name Mars, which is the fourth planet in our solar system from the Sun. Ancient astronomers associated the planet Mars, the god of war, with bloodshed and conflict because of its reddish hue.

5. Mars was a son of Jupiter and Juno.

It was once thought that Jupiter, the gods’ king, and Juno, their queen, were the parents of Mars. His standing in the Roman pantheon was further enhanced by this distinguished ancestry.

6. His symbol was the ancile (a sacred shield).

Mars’s emblem was the Ancile, a holy shield that was deeply connected to him. The shield, which represented protection and fighting prowess and was thought to have fallen from the sky, was revered as a heavenly relic.

7. Mars was fooled into marrying an old goddess disguised as Minerva.

In a myth, an elderly goddess, Minerva, the goddess of war and knowledge, seduced Mars into becoming her husband. This story underlines Mars’s gullibility and his connection to love relationships.

8. The month of March is named after him.

March was a fitting month to pay homage to the god of war because it signalled the start of the military campaign season in classical Rome.

9. Mars was tall and handsome, but he was vain and the other gods didn’t like him much.

In addition to being tall and attractive, Mars was also noted for his conceit and haughtiness. These characteristics, which showed his complicated and occasionally contentious personality, frequently caused him to become estranged from other gods.

10. He was the patron of soldiers.

Mars was regarded as the patron god of armies and warriors since he was the god of battle. Before a fight, soldiers would frequently call on him to ask for his protection and direction.

We hope you enjoyed these fun facts. If you are teaching Ancient Roman Gods and Goddesses, check out our primary resource below!