Difference between revisions of "Mars (mythology)" - New World Encyclopedia

Latest revision as of 22:03, 20 September 2014

For the fourth planet from the sun, see Mars.

A bronze statue of Mars, the Roman god of war.

Mars, the Roman god of war, was a widely popular deity among the people of the Roman Empire, as well as the alleged divine protector of the city of Rome. Originally, Mars was a god of vegetation^[1] and the protector of cattle and fields, who later became associated with warfare as the Roman Empire began to expand through military conquest. Eventually, Mars was identified with the Greek god of war, Ares, due to the syncretism between these cultures.

Mars was the tutelary god of Rome, and as the legendary father of its founder, Romulus, it was believed that all Romans were descended of Mars. Mars was further associated with Quirinus, a Sabine deity said to be the Spirit of Romulus. As the Roman Empire expanded in Northern Europe, Mars was equated with Celtic gods of war, particularly in Roman Britain, where he was commonly considered not only a war-bringer, but also a peaceful protector, healer and tribal god, to the Celts.^[2]

Worship

Mars, unlike his Greek counterpart, Ares (the god of savage war), was a more widely worshiped deity than any of the other Roman gods, probably in part because his sons, Romulus and Remus, were said to have founded Rome. Mars was also one of the three supreme Roman deities of the Archaic Triad, along with Jupiter and Quirinus.

In his warlike aspect, Mars was offered sacrifices before combat and was said to appear on the battlefield accompanied by Bellona, a warrior goddess variously identified as his wife, sister, daughter or cousin. Mars' wife was also said to be Nerio. The warlike aspect of Mars likely derived in part from contact with the Greeks, whose god Ares also presided over war. The Romans likely grafted aspects of Ares onto Mars, although differences remained: to the Romans, Mars was an heroic warrior God, while, to the Greeks, Ares was cowardly, unpredictable, and held in much less esteem.

In his agricultural aspect, Mars presided over springtime and crops in major festivals. This cemented his value to the Romans, as he was portrayed as the God of Protection. The Romans, as farmers, feared crop destruction most of all, so Mars prevented "invasion" of their fields by preventing plague, pestilence, flood, and animals from destroying their crops. Mars had a succession of festivals in February, March, and October, as well as one on June 1. On February 27 and March 14, the horse races of the Equirria were held. On March 1, the Feriae Marti (loosely "Festivals of Mars") was celebrated. On March 23, the Tubilustrium was celebrated by purifying weapons and war-trumpets. On October 19, the Armilustrium was celebrated in Mars' honor, and the weapons of the soldiers were purified and stored. Every five years, the Suovetaurilia was celebrated, consisting of the sacrifice of a pig, sheep, and bull—Mars was one of only three Roman deities, along with Neptune and Apollo, to whom bulls could be sacrificed.

The Campus Martius ("Field of Mars") was dedicated to Mars, and was the location where soldiers and athletes trained. Mars also had an altar there, the Ara Martis. In the Regia on the Roman Forum, the hastae Martiae ("lances of Mars") were kept in a small chamber. Any movement of the lance was seen as an omen of war. If Rome was attacking, the generals moved their lances and repeated Mars vigila ("Awaken, Mars!").

Priests of Mars and Quirinus were called Salii ("jumpers"). They were referred to as jumpers because they jumped down streets and sang the Carmen Saliare. A lone priest of Mars was called a flamen Martialis.

Names and epithets

Mars was called Mavors in some poetry (Virgil VIII, 630), and Mamers was his Oscan name. He was also known as Marmor, Marmar and Maris, the latter from the Etruscan deity Maris.

Like other major Roman deities, Mars had a large number of epithets representing his different roles and aspects. Many of Mars' epithets resulted from mythological syncretism between Mars and foreign gods. The most common and significant of these included:

Mars Alator, a fusion of Mars with the Celtic deity Alator (possibly meaning "Huntsman" or "Cherisher"), known from inscription found in England, on an altar at South Shields and a silver-gilt votive plaque at Barkway, Hertfordshire.^[3]^[4]

Mars Albiorix, a fusion of Mars with the ancient Celtic deity Toutatis, using the epithet Albiorix ("King of the World"). Mars Albiorix was worshiped as protector of the Albici tribe of southern France, and was regarded as a mountain god. Another epithet of Toutatis, Caturix ("King of Combat"), was used in the combination Mars Caturix, which was worshiped in Gaul, possibly as the tribal god of the Caturiges.^[5]

Mars Balearicus, statues of a warrior discovered in the Mallorca Island, associated by the archeologists to the Roman god Mars^[6]

Mars Barrex, from Barrex or Barrecis (probably meaning "Supreme One"), a Celtic god known only from a dedicatory inscription found at Carlisle, England.^[7]

Mars Belatucadrus, an epithet found in five inscriptions in the area of Hadrian's Wall in England, based on equating the Celtic deity Belatu-Cadros with Mars.

Mars Braciaca, a synthesis of Mars with the Celtic god Braciaca. This deity is only known from a single inscription at Bakewell, England.^[8]

Mars Camulos, from the Celtic war god Camulus.

Mars Capriociegus, from an Iberian god who was linked to Mars. He is invoked in two inscriptions in the Pontevedra region of northwest Spain.

Mars Cocidius, a combination of Mars with the Celtic woodland hunting god Cocidius. He is referenced around northwest Cumbria and Hadrian's Wall, and was chiefly a war god only in instances where he was equated with Mars.

Mars Condatis, from the Celtic god of the confluence of rivers, Condatis. Mars Condatis, who oversaw water and healing, is known from inscriptions near Hadrian's Wall, at Piercebridge, Bowes and Chester-le-Street.^[9]^[10]

Mars Gradivus, God of War.

Influence

The Mars symbol represents the deity Mars.

The name of the third month of the year, March, is derived from Mars via the Roman month Martius, which was considered a lucky time to go to war. Another adjective form of Mars, Martial (from Martialis), is instead associated with war, as in martial law.

The blood-red fourth planet in the Solar System, Mars, was also named after Mars; an adjective form of Mars, Martian (from Martianus), is most commonly used in reference to the planet. The planet Mars and the male sex are both commonly represented by the astronomical or gender symbol ♂, which originally represented the shield and spear of Mars and was popularized as the alchemical symbol for iron.

Many popular names form males are derived from Mars such as "Mark" (Italian, Marco), "Martial," and "Martin."

Notes

↑ His name derives from the Latinized form of the Etruscan agricultural god Maris.
↑ Miranda J. Green, 1992, Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend, 140–144, London: Thames and Hudson, ISBN 0500015163.
↑ E.J. Phillips, 1977, Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani, Great Britain, Volume I, Fascicule 1. Hadrian's Wall East of the North Tyne, 66, Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0197259545.
↑ Anne Ross, 1967, Pagan Celtic Britain, Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.
↑ Miranda J. Green, 1992, Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend, 140–144, London: Thames and Hudson, ISBN 0500015163.
↑ A tour of the Talaiots, InfoMallorca.net, Retrieved January 24, 2008.
↑ Anne Ross, 1967, Pagan Celtic Britain, Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.
↑ Anne Ross, 1967, Pagan Celtic Britain, Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.
↑ Anne Ross, 1967, Pagan Celtic Britain, Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.
↑ Barri Jones, and David Mattingly, 1990, An Atlas of Roman Britain 275, Oxford: Basil Blackwell. ISBN 1842170678.

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

Green, Miranda J. Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend. London: Thames and Hudson, 1992. ISBN 0500015163.
Jones, Barri, and David Mattingly. An Atlas of Roman Britain. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1990. ISBN 1842170678.
Phillips, E.J. Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani, Great Britain, Volume I, Fascicule 1. Hadrian's Wall East of the North Tyne. 66. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997. ISBN 0197259545.
Ross, Anne. Pagan Celtic Britain. Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1967. ISBN 0902357034.

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[1] His name derives from the Latinized form of the Etruscan agricultural god Maris.

[2] Miranda J. Green, 1992, Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend, 140–144, London: Thames and Hudson, ISBN 0500015163.

[3] E.J. Phillips, 1977, Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani, Great Britain, Volume I, Fascicule 1. Hadrian's Wall East of the North Tyne, 66, Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0197259545.

[4] Anne Ross, 1967, Pagan Celtic Britain, Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.

[5] Miranda J. Green, 1992, Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend, 140–144, London: Thames and Hudson, ISBN 0500015163.

[6] A tour of the Talaiots, InfoMallorca.net, Retrieved January 24, 2008.

[7] Anne Ross, 1967, Pagan Celtic Britain, Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.

[8] Anne Ross, 1967, Pagan Celtic Britain, Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.

[9] Anne Ross, 1967, Pagan Celtic Britain, Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.

[10] Barri Jones, and David Mattingly, 1990, An Atlas of Roman Britain 275, Oxford: Basil Blackwell. ISBN 1842170678.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Claimed}}
+{{Paid}}{{Approved}}{{Submitted}}{{Images OK}}{{Copyedited}}
 :''For the fourth planet from the sun, see [[Mars]].''
-[[Image:Mini-Roman Bronze Mars.jpg|Mars, Roman god of war.]]
+[[Image:Mini-Roman Bronze Mars.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A bronze statue of Mars, the Roman god of war.]]
-'''Mars''' was the  [[Roman mythology|Roman god]] of [[war]], the son of [[Juno (mythology)|Juno]] and either [[Jupiter (mythology)|Jupiter]] or a magical flower. As the word ''Mars'' has no [[Proto-Indo-European language|Indo-European]] derivation, it is most likely the [[romanization|Latinized]] form of the agricultural [[Etruscan mythology|Etruscan god]] [[Maris]]. Initially the Roman god of [[fertility]] and [[vegetation]] and a protector of cattle, fields and boundaries, Mars later became associated with battle as the growing Roman Empire began to expand, and he was [[interpretatio graeca|identified]] with the [[Greek mythology|Greek god]] [[Ares]]. He was also a [[tutelary]] god of Rome, and as the legendary father of its founder, [[Romulus and Remus|Romulus]], it was believed that all Romans were descended of Mars.
+'''Mars,''' the Roman [[god]] of [[war]], was a widely popular deity among the people of the [[Roman Empire]], as well as the alleged divine protector of the city of [[Rome]]. Originally, Mars was a god of vegetation<ref>His name derives from the [[romanization|Latinized]] form of the [[Etruscan]] agricultural god [[Maris]].</ref> and the protector of cattle and fields, who later became associated with warfare as the [[Roman Empire]] began to expand through military conquest. Eventually, Mars was identified with the Greek god of war, [[Ares]], due to the syncretism between these cultures.
+{{toc}}
+Mars was the tutelary god of [[Ancient Rome|Rome]], and as the legendary father of its founder, [[Romulus and Remus|Romulus]], it was believed that all Romans were descended of Mars. Mars was further associated with Quirinus, a Sabine deity said to be the Spirit of Romulus. As the Roman Empire expanded in Northern Europe, Mars was equated with [[Celtic mythology|Celtic gods]] of war, particularly in Roman Britain, where he was commonly considered not only a war-bringer, but also a peaceful protector, healer and tribal god, to the [[Celt]]s.<ref>Miranda J. Green, 1992, ''Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend'', 140–144, London: Thames and Hudson, ISBN 0500015163.</ref>
 ==Worship==
-Mars, unlike his Greek counterpart, Ares the god of savage war, was more widely worshiped than any of the other Roman gods, probably in part because his sons by the [[Vestal Virgin]] [[Rhea Silvia]], [[Romulus and Remus]], were said to have founded [[Rome]]; Mars came down to earth while Rhea slept, he came to her and they slept together. After they had sex Rhea had a set of twins. Then Rhea left and had sex with Atlas the Titan while he was holding the heavens. It was hard to have sex while standing but they managed and had a baby named Zeus. The Romans called themselves the sons of freaks after this. [[Venus (mythology)|Venus]], who was Mars' consort in legends borrowed from the Greek mythos, held similar importance for them because of her relationship to [[Aeneas]]. Mars was also one of the three supreme Roman deities of the Archaic Triad, along with [[Jupiter (mythology)|Jupiter]] and [[Quirinus]].
+Mars, unlike his Greek counterpart, [[Ares]] (the god of savage war), was a more widely worshiped deity than any of the other Roman gods, probably in part because his sons, [[Romulus and Remus]], were said to have founded [[Rome]]. Mars was also one of the three supreme Roman deities of the Archaic Triad, along with [[Jupiter (mythology)|Jupiter]] and [[Quirinus]].
-In his [[agriculture|agricultural]] aspect, Mars presided over [[spring (season)|springtime]] and crops in major festivals. This cemented his value to the Romans, as he was portrayed as the God of (and Against) Invasion. The Romans, as farmers, feared crop destruction most of all, so Mars prevented "invasion" of their fields by preventing plague, pestilence, flood, and animals from "invading" their fields.
+In his warlike aspect, Mars was offered sacrifices before combat and was said to appear on the battlefield accompanied by [[Enyo|Bellona]], a warrior goddess variously identified as his wife, sister, daughter or cousin. Mars' wife was also said to be [[Nerio]]. The warlike aspect of Mars likely derived in part from contact with the Greeks, whose god [[Ares]] also presided over war. The Romans likely grafted aspects of Ares onto Mars, although differences remained: to the Romans, Mars was an heroic warrior God, while, to the Greeks, Ares was cowardly, unpredictable, and held in much less esteem.
-In his warlike aspect, Mars was offered sacrifices before combat and was said to appear on the battlefield accompanied by [[Enyo|Bellona]], a warrior goddess variously identified as his wife, sister, daughter or cousin. Mars' wife was also said to be [[Nerio]].
+In his [[agriculture|agricultural]] aspect, Mars presided over [[spring (season)|springtime]] and crops in major festivals. This cemented his value to the Romans, as he was portrayed as the God of Protection. The Romans, as farmers, feared crop destruction most of all, so Mars prevented "invasion" of their fields by preventing plague, pestilence, flood, and animals from destroying their crops. Mars had a succession of festivals in February, March, and October, as well as one on June 1. On February 27 and March 14, the horse races of the [[Equirria]] were held. On March 1, the ''[[Feria]]e Marti'' (loosely "Festivals of Mars") was celebrated. On March 23, the [[Tubilustrium]] was celebrated by purifying weapons and war-trumpets. On October 19, the [[Armilustrium]] was celebrated in Mars' honor, and the weapons of the soldiers were purified and stored. Every five years, the [[Suovetaurilia]] was celebrated, consisting of the sacrifice of a pig, sheep, and bull&mdash;Mars was one of only three Roman deities, along with [[Poseidon|Neptune]] and [[Apollo]], to whom bulls could be sacrificed.
-The warlike aspect of Mars was said to be partially derived from contact with the Greeks, whose Ares was the God of War. Because the Romans, mostly farmers, faced crop destruction and loss of supplies whenever war broke out, Mars was seen as protector of their homes against attack (again, the invasion theme) or success in quick battles. Thus, the Romans grafted aspects of Ares onto Mars, but the differences remained: to the Romans, Mars was perhaps the chief worshipped God and heroic, while, to the Greeks, Ares was cowardly, unpredictable, and held in much less esteem.
+The [[Campus Martius]] ("Field of Mars") was dedicated to Mars, and was the location where soldiers and athletes trained. Mars also had an altar there, the ''Ara Martis''. In the [[Regia]] on the [[Roman Forum]], the ''hastae Martiae'' ("lances of Mars") were kept in a small chamber. Any movement of the lance was seen as an omen of war. If Rome was attacking, the generals moved their lances and repeated ''Mars vigila'' ("Awaken, Mars!").
-Mars had a succession of festivals in February, March and October, as well as one on [[June 1]]. On [[March 1]], the ''[[Feria]]e Marti'' (loosely "Festivals of Mars") was celebrated. On [[February 27]] and [[March 14]], the horserace of the [[Equirria]] were held. On [[March 23]], the [[Tubilustrium]] was celebrated by purifying weapons and war-trumpets. On [[October 19]], the [[Armilustrium]] was celebrated in Mars' honor, and the weapons of the soldiers were purified and stored. Every five years, the [[Suovetaurilia]] was celebrated, consisting of the sacrifice of a pig, sheep and bull&mdash;Mars was one of only three Roman deities, along with [[Poseidon|Neptune]] and [[Apollo]], to whom [[Cattle|bull]]s could be sacrificed.
+Priests of Mars and [[Quirinus]] were called ''[[Salii]]'' ("jumpers"). They were referred to as jumpers because they jumped down streets and sang the ''[[Carmen Saliare]]''. A lone priest of Mars was called a ''[[flamen Martialis]]''.
-The [[Campus Martius]] ("Field of Mars") was dedicated to Mars, and was where soldiers and athletes trained. Mars also had an altar there, the ''Ara Martis''. In the [[Regia]] on the [[Roman Forum]], the ''hastae Martiae'' ("lances of Mars") were kept in a small chamber. Any movement of the hastae Martiae was seen as an omen of war.  If Rome was attacking, the generals moved their lances and repeated ''Mars vigila'' ("Awaken, Mars!").
-Priests of Mars and [[Quirinus]] were called ''[[Salii]]'' ("jumpers").  They were referred to as jumpers because they jumped down streets and sang the [[Carmen Saliare]]. A lone priest of Mars was called a ''[[flamen Martialis]]''.
-Mars was sometimes associated with [[Quirinus]], a [[Sabine]] deity said to be the Spirit of Romulus, the founder of Rome. He was also identified with [[Celtic mythology|Celtic gods]] of war, particularly in [[Roman Britain]], and was commonly considered not only a war-bringer, but also a peaceful protector, healer and tribal god, to the [[Celt]]s. <ref name="Green">Green, Miranda J. (1992). ''Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend'' (pp. 140&ndash;144). London: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 0-500-01516-3.</ref>
 ==Names and epithets==
-Mars was called '''Mavors''' in some poetry ([[Virgil]] VIII, 630), and '''Mamers''' was his [[Oscan language|Oscan]] name. He was also known as '''Marmor''',  '''Marmar''' and '''Maris''', the latter from the Etruscan deity [[Maris]].
+Mars was called ''Mavors'' in some poetry ([[Virgil]] VIII, 630), and ''Mamers'' was his Oscan name. He was also known as ''Marmor'', ''Marmar'' and ''Maris'', the latter from the Etruscan deity [[Maris]].
 Like other major Roman deities, Mars had a large number of [[epithet]]s representing his different roles and aspects. Many of Mars' epithets resulted from mythological [[syncretism]] between Mars and foreign gods. The most common and significant of these included:
-*'''Mars Alator''', a fusion of Mars with the Celtic deity [[Alator]] (possibly meaning "Huntsman" or "Cherisher"), known from inscription found in [[England]], on an altar at [[South Shields]] and a silver-gilt votive plaque at [[Barkway]], [[Hertfordshire]]. <ref>Phillips, E.J. (1977). ''Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani'', ''Great Britain, Volume I, Fascicule 1''. ''Hadrian's Wall East of the North Tyne'' (p. 66). Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-725954-5.</ref><ref name="Ross">Ross, Anne (1967). ''Pagan Celtic Britain''. Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0-902357-03-4.</ref>
+*''Mars Alator'', a fusion of Mars with the Celtic deity [[Alator]] (possibly meaning "Huntsman" or "Cherisher"), known from inscription found in [[England]], on an altar at South Shields and a silver-gilt votive plaque at Barkway, Hertfordshire.<ref>E.J. Phillips, 1977, ''Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani'', ''Great Britain, Volume I, Fascicule 1''. ''Hadrian's Wall East of the North Tyne'', 66, Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0197259545.</ref><ref>Anne Ross, 1967, ''Pagan Celtic Britain'', Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.</ref>
-*'''Mars Albiorix''', a fusion of Mars with the ancient Celtic deity [[Toutatis]], using the epithet ''Albiorix'' ("King of the World"). Mars Albiorix was worshiped as protector of the Albici tribe of southern France, and was regarded as a mountain god. Another epithet of Toutatis, ''Caturix'' ("King of Combat"), was used in the combination '''Mars Caturix''', which was worshiped in [[Gaul]], possibly as the tribal god of the [[Caturiges]].<ref name="Green"/>
+*''Mars Albiorix'', a fusion of Mars with the ancient Celtic deity [[Toutatis]], using the epithet ''Albiorix'' ("King of the World"). Mars Albiorix was worshiped as protector of the Albici tribe of southern [[France]], and was regarded as a mountain god. Another epithet of Toutatis, ''Caturix'' ("King of Combat"), was used in the combination ''Mars Caturix'', which was worshiped in [[Gaul]], possibly as the tribal god of the [[Caturiges]].<ref>Miranda J. Green, 1992, ''Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend'', 140–144, London: Thames and Hudson, ISBN 0500015163.</ref>
-*'''Mars Balearicus''', statues of a warrior discovered in the [[Mallorca]] Island, associated by the [[archeologist]]s to the Roman god Mars [http://www.agendamallorca.net/monograficos/pagina.en.html?cIte=2836].
+*''Mars Balearicus'', statues of a warrior discovered in the Mallorca Island, associated by the [[archeologist]]s to the Roman god Mars<ref>[http://www.agendamallorca.net/monograficos/pagina.en.html?cIte=2836 A tour of the Talaiots], InfoMallorca.net, Retrieved January 24, 2008.</ref>
-*'''Mars Barrex''', from ''Barrex'' or ''Barrecis'' (probably meaning "Supreme One"), a Celtic god known only from a dedicatory inscription found at [[Carlisle]], England.<ref name="Ross"/>
+*''Mars Barrex'', from ''Barrex'' or ''Barrecis'' (probably meaning "Supreme One"), a Celtic god known only from a dedicatory inscription found at [[Carlisle]], England.<ref>Anne Ross, 1967, ''Pagan Celtic Britain'', Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.</ref>
-*'''Mars Belatucadrus''', an epithet found in five inscriptions in the area of [[Hadrian's Wall]] in England, based on equating the Celtic deity [[Belatu-Cadros]] with Mars.
+*''Mars Belatucadrus'', an epithet found in five inscriptions in the area of [[Hadrian's Wall]] in England, based on equating the Celtic deity [[Belatu-Cadros]] with Mars.
-*'''Mars Braciaca''', a synthesis of Mars with the Celtic god Braciaca. This deity is only known from a single inscription at [[Bakewell]], England.<ref name="Ross"/>
+*''Mars Braciaca'', a synthesis of Mars with the Celtic god Braciaca. This deity is only known from a single inscription at Bakewell, England.<ref>Anne Ross, 1967, ''Pagan Celtic Britain'', Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.</ref>
-*'''Mars Camulos''', from the Celtic war god [[Camulus]].
+*''Mars Camulos'', from the Celtic war god [[Camulus]].
-*'''Mars Capriociegus''', from an [[Iberians|Iberian]] god who was linked to Mars. He is invoked in two inscriptions in the [[Pontevedra]] region of northwest Spain.
+*''Mars Capriociegus'', from an Iberian god who was linked to Mars. He is invoked in two inscriptions in the Pontevedra region of northwest Spain.
-*'''Mars Cocidius''', a combination of Mars with the Celtic woodland hunting god [[Cocidius]]. He is referenced around northwest [[Cumbria]] and Hadrian's Wall, and was chiefly a war god only in instances where he was equated with Mars.
+*''Mars Cocidius'', a combination of Mars with the Celtic woodland hunting god [[Cocidius]]. He is referenced around northwest Cumbria and Hadrian's Wall, and was chiefly a war god only in instances where he was equated with Mars.
-*'''Mars Condatis''', from the Celtic god of the confluence of rivers, [[Condatis]]. Mars Condatis, who oversaw water and healing, is known from inscriptions near Hadrian's Wall, at [[Piercebridge]], [[Bowes]] and [[Chester-le-Street]].<ref name="Ross"/><ref>Jones, Barri & Mattingly, David (1990). ''An Atlas of Roman Britain'' (p. 275). Oxford: Basil Blackwell. ISBN 1-84217-067-8.</ref>
+*''Mars Condatis'', from the Celtic god of the confluence of rivers, Condatis. Mars Condatis, who oversaw water and healing, is known from inscriptions near Hadrian's Wall, at Piercebridge, Bowes and Chester-le-Street.<ref>Anne Ross, 1967, ''Pagan Celtic Britain'', Routledge & Kegan Paul. ISBN 0902357034.</ref><ref>Barri Jones, and David Mattingly, 1990, ''An Atlas of Roman Britain'' 275, Oxford: Basil Blackwell. ISBN 1842170678.</ref>
-*'''Mars Gradivus''', God of War.
+*''Mars Gradivus'', God of War.
 ==Influence==
 [[Image:Mars symbol.svg|thumb|150px|The [[Mars symbol]] represents the deity Mars.]]
-The name of the third month of the year, ''March'', is derived from ''Mars'' via the Roman month ''Martius'', which was considered a lucky time to go to war.
+The name of the third month of the year, ''March'', is derived from ''Mars'' via the Roman month ''Martius'', which was considered a lucky time to go to war. Another adjective form of Mars, ''Martial'' (from ''Martialis''), is instead associated with war, as in [[martial law]].
-The blood-red fourth [[planet]] in the [[Solar System]], [[Mars]], was also named after Mars; an adjective form of Mars, ''[[Martian]]'' (from ''Martianus''), is most commonly used in reference to the planet. Another adjective form of Mars, ''Martial'' (from ''Martialis''), is instead associated with war, as in [[martial law]]. Martial, along with another adjectival form, ''[[Martin]]'' (from ''Martinus''), is a common name. A more popular name derived from Mars is Mark (Italian, Marco).
+The blood-red fourth [[planet]] in the [[Solar System]], [[Mars]], was also named after Mars; an adjective form of Mars, ''[[Martian]]'' (from ''Martianus''), is most commonly used in reference to the planet. The planet Mars and the [[male]] [[sex]] are both commonly represented by the [[astronomical symbols|astronomical]] or [[gender symbol]] [[Mars symbol|♂]], which originally represented the shield and spear of Mars and was popularized as the [[alchemical symbol]] for [[iron]].
-The planet Mars and the [[male]] [[sex]] are both commonly represented by the [[astronomical symbols|astronomical]] or [[gender symbol]] [[Mars symbol|♂]], which originally represented the shield and spear of Mars and was popularized as the [[alchemical symbol]] for [[iron]].
+Many popular names form males are derived from Mars such as "Mark" (Italian, Marco), "Martial," and "Martin."
+==Notes==
+<references/>
 ==References==
-<references/>
-==External links==
+* Green, Miranda J.  ''Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend.'' London: Thames and Hudson, 1992. ISBN 0500015163.
-*[http://www.angelfire.com/empire/martiana/mars/index.html Mars in Roman Religion]
+* Jones, Barri, and David Mattingly. ''An Atlas of Roman Britain.'' Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1990. ISBN 1842170678.
+* Phillips, E.J. ''Corpus Signorum Imperii Romani'', ''Great Britain, Volume I, Fascicule 1''. ''Hadrian's Wall East of the North Tyne''. 66. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997. ISBN 0197259545.
+* Ross, Anne. ''Pagan Celtic Britain''. Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1967. ISBN 0902357034.
 [[Category: Philosophy and religion]]