FREE: Mars and the Turning of the Year: Why the Roman War God Belongs to Spring

In the ancient Mediterranean world, the year once began in March, the month named for the Roman god Mars. Today Mars is remembered primarily as a god of war, yet early Roman religion understood him quite differently. He was also a protector of fields, livestock, and seasonal renewal. In this talk we will explore why spring was associated with Mars, how the ancient calendar was structured around agricultural rebirth, and how festivals such as those dedicated to the mysterious goddess Anna Perenna celebrated the continuation of the year. By looking at the rhythms of the ancient calendar, we begin to see how warfare, agriculture, and the renewal of life were once understood as part of the same seasonal cycle.