Roman Gods of the Month: March: Introduction

[neptunesdolphins]

 The month of March is named for Mars, the Roman God of War. Besides war, Mars also protected the land and crops. Spring brought both preparations for planting and for war. The Feriae Marti (the Festival of Mars), lasts for nearly the entire month and is similar to the Carnival Season and Mardi Gras.

 

“Come Mars, God of War, lay aside your shield and spear:

A moment, from your helmet, free your shining hair.

What has a poet to do with Mars, you might ask?

 

The month I sing of takes its name from you.

If it’s right for the secret promptings of the gods

To be heard by poets, as it’s rumoured they may,

Tell me, Gradivus, Marching God, why women keep

Your feast, you who are apt to be served by men.’

 

So I spoke. And Mars answered, laying aside his helmet,

But keeping his throwing spear in his right hand:

Now am I, a god used to warfare, invoked

In pursuit of peace, and I’m carried into new camps,

And I don’t dislike it: I like to take on this function,…”

(Ovid, “Fasti, Book III.” Translator: A.S. Kline)

 

Traditionally, the New Year for Romans began in March, the first month of the original calendar. After the reforms of Numa Pompilis and Julius Caesar, it was still celebrated as a second New Year’s Day. The spring equinox was still the beginning of the planting and war seasons.

 

On March 15th (Ides), the Traditional New Year is celebrated. Anna Perenna, the Goddess of the Returning Year, oversees the celebrations. People would picnic and drink cups of wine in her honor, and offer prayers for a prosperous year. They, also, picnicked along the Tiber, camping out singing and dancing.

 

“The happy feast of Anna Perenna is held on the Ides,

Not far from your banks, Tiber, far flowing river.

The people come and drink there, scattered on the grass,

And every man reclines there with his girl.

 

Some tolerate the open sky, a few pitch tents,

And some make leafy huts out of branches,

While others set reeds up, to form rigid pillars,

And hang their outspread robes from the reeds.

 

But they’re warmed by sun and wine, and pray

For as many years as cups, as many as they drink.”

(Ovid, “Fasti, Book III.” Translator: A.S. Kline)