TEMPLVM MARTIS
THE MARS CULT
I have always been devoted to Mars. He is the most authentically Roman of all our gods - he was protector of our fields and crops before the Greek gods came, and he fathered Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.
Unlike Ares, who is pure fury and mindless destruction, Mars is wise and reasonable, has many faces, and besides Gradivus and Ultor, we have also Mars Quirinus, protector of citizens and god of Peace.
One of the most basic and important functions of a warrior is to know to prevent trouble before it starts.
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When I first arrived to Romanum, there wasn't a Mars cult, nor a temple, nor there were possible followers, but during my second year the Flamen Dialis, who was the Pontifex Maximus at that time, heard Mars asking for me to be his Flamen and start his cult in the City. So I became The Flamen Martialis of Romanum.
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At first, we didn't have a temple, so the Pontifex Maximus gave us a round open structure where the Salii and I held our first ceremonies.
My next mission was building a home for Mars, so I went to the best architecture Academy in the known world and, inspired by Mars himself, learned how to do it and made it in a relatively short time.
the TEMPLE
So I learned how to build, and constructed a simple Temple. Prince Rad Parthicus, a prominent maecenas and Mars devotee, donated a part of his Estate to Mars, contributing also with his sons, Kaeso and Lascivus, who joined the cult as Salii.
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The statue of Mars represents Him and His virility and power.
According to our traditions, Mars dwells in the Temple and is taken out for ceremonies that are held outside.
The walls are chiselled by war scenes representing our victories throughout the Empire. The main Roman values named in the upper frieze remind the citizens of the proper behaviour.
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The main celebrations and festivals are held in March and October. Winter isn't good time for wars, so Armilustrium is the moment of purification and consacration of weapons.
