Mars was an important god of Roman mythology, who was the god of war and agriculture, who was also the pater of the people, and patron of soldiers and farmers.
Overview
Mars was the son of Jupiter and Juno, with whom he formed the Di Flaminales, the three major flames of Rome. He was also the father of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of the Roman state, whom he sired with the vestal-virgin Rhea Silvia.
He was often syncretised with the Greek god Ares, through which he became the lover of Venus, the goddess of love, beauty, desire, fertility and prosperity, and father of Cupid, the god of desire, erotic love, attraction, and affection. He was also the lover of Bellona, the goddess of war, destruction, conquest, and bloodlust.
He was seen as the second-most important deity after Jupiter for the Romans as he embodied the military.
Gallery
