Statuette Mars Ultor, Bronze

Roman Bronze Statue of Mars Ultor

This small bronze statuette of the Mars Ultor was created as a reconstruction of a statue from the Aula Sillana in Cumae, Italy. In addition to the reconstruction of the missing parts, also the supporting structures (necessary for the original size) were removed. So the Mars figurine fitts well into the range of ancient statuettes which were once used in a roman house shrine, the so-called Lararium. The Roman god of war is fully equipped and wears a muscle armor with pteryges, mantle, greaves and an ornate helmet. The height of the figure without lance including base measures about 13 cm. The detailed Mars statue is cast by hand in elaborate lost wax casting and reworked.

Mars - The Roman God of War

The origins of the Roman Mars can be found in the Greek god of war Ares, which was equated with Mars in the context of the Interpretatio Romana. The Italian people of the Marser even derived his name from the god of war, who, as the father of Romulus and Remus, was also the progenitor of the Romans. For the Romans, whose existence as a military state was dependent on military success, the god of war Mars played a decisive role anyway. Centrally located in Rome was the Campus Martius, the Field of Mars, which was used as a free space for military marches, exercises, competitions, chariot races and physical exercises. There was also a sanctuary for the god of war in the Campus Martius, on whose altar corresponding sacrifices were made. While public buildings, thermal baths, theaters and temples were increasingly erected in the Campus Martius since the earliest days of the Empire, Mars Ultor was given its own temple in the Roman Forum in 2 BC. Augustus donated the building to the "Avenging Mars" as the fulfillment of a vow he made during the civil war against Caesar's murders. Thus, Augustus legitimized his victory by divine providence and the support of the god of war. Unlike other classic depictions, Mars is not portrayed as a youthful nude, but with full armor, aged, paternal and peacemaking.

In former roman countries, Mars was the eponymous for the second day of the week, the Martis Dies (Day of Mars). This became the "mardi" in french and the "martedi" in italian. The corresponding Germanic god of war Tyr / Tiu in turn was patron for the german "Dienstag"