Temple to Mars

[Romae Fabulus]

Mars:
Mars, unlike his Greek counterpart, Ares the god of war, was more widely worshipped 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; the Romans called themselves the sons of Mars. 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 and Quirinus.

In his agricultural aspect, Mars presided over springtime and crops in major festivals. 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.

[Cornelius Titus [3-167BC]]

Titus rides up to the temple entrance, dismounts his horse, bows at the entrance, and enters quietly, he walks up to the statue of Mars, kneels before it and says
"Mars, my god, i have always followed the path you have shown before me, help me lead my men into battle for the better cause for the people of Rome. Bless my sword with your might and lead it into the flesh and blood of the barbaric raiders!"
He stands, bows and walks quietly out the entrance, mounts his horse and rides back toward his camp.