The Temple of Mars

[Pontifex Maximus]

Aedes Martis in Circo


A Level I Building

The Temple of Mars was built on the campus Martius in Rome in the 2nd century BC, near the Circus Flaminius.
Consul Decimus Junius Brutus Callaicus vowed a temple to Mars in 138 BC and construction began after 135 BC, financed by loot from his campaign in Hispania. It was dedicated in 132 BC during his triumph. It was designed by Hermodorus of Salamis. It was restored in the late Republic but retaining the older building's plan and features.

Information on the Cult

Flamen Martialis
Lucius Valerius Flaccus

Flamenes Minores
Marcus Valerius Messalla

Festivals

Information on the Cult

February 27: Equirria, involving chariot or horse races;

March 1: Mars' dies natalis ("birthday"), a feria also sacred to his mother Juno;

March 14: a second Equirria, again with chariot races;

March 14 or 15: Mamuralia, a new year festival when a figure called Mamurius Veturius (perhaps the "old Mars" of the old year) is driven out;

March 17: an Agonalia or Agonium Martiale, an obscure type of observance held at other times for various deities;

March 23: Tubilustrium, a purification of the deploying army

October 15: the ritual of the October Horse, with a chariot race and Rome's only known horse sacrifice;

October 19: Armilustrium ("purification of arms").

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Ides of October, 81 BCE

The festival of the October Horse was underway, and as a newly inducted Flamen Minore of Mars, Marcus Valerius Messalla was heavily involved in the planning and execution of the ceremony. Five pairs of two-horse chariots would race in the Circus Maximus, the right hand horse of the winning pair would then be transfixed, its head removed, and then delivered to the Regia as a ritual sacrifice. The sacrificed horseflesh would not be offered to the public to eat, as was common when any animals were sacrificed, on account of the profane status of the horse. Horseflesh simply was not consumed.

Marcus appeared outside the Temple with the Flamen Martialis and perhaps four other minor priests of Mars. He wore a sparkling white toga with a hood that flapped a bit in the early morning breeze. The religious part of the ceremony would be broken up by the spectacle of the races themselves. This was a rather large holiday as a result. Nobody worked today, or rather would leave their works early in order to attend the event or else to enjoy the day without work. Many at least would view the races and then depart afterwards.

The priests began the ceremony with a typical invocation to the gods:
divum empta cante, divum deo supplicate
cume tonas, Leucesie, prae tet tremonti
quot ibet etinei de is cum tonarem
...cozeulodorieso.
Omnia vero adpatula coemisse.
Ian cusianes duonus ceruses dunus Ianusve
vet pom melios eum recum.

Now that the priests have gotten the attention of the gods, particularly Mars, they could descend from the steps of the temple and join in the chariots’ processions to the Circus Maximus. Messalla would sit in a special box for the occasion to view the races, and after that the charioteers would be the main focus of attention. Ostensibly the show and sacrifice was meant to honor Mars. It was easy, Messalla expected, for the religious meaning of such festivals to become lost in all the pomp of the occasion.

As the race began Messalla gave the red team his full attention. It was his favorite faction, and that was no secret, but on this occasion he was on religious business and therefore did not take part in any raucous celebration that would look untoward. This may be the one race you did not want your faction to win, for the lead horse yolked on the right side would necessarily be given to Mars at the end. The two-horse chariots made their third lap with the yellow faction in the lead. He soon outpaced the rest and on the fifth lap, crossed with some yards to spare. It was a decisive victory and so the strongest animal was identified.

As the event drew to a close and the Circus cleared, a devoted cadre remained to witness the sacrifice. A Runner stood by, for once the head was removed from the horse, it would need to reach the Regia and placed before the altar before it stopped dripping blood. Messalla did not flinch as the spear was thrust through the beast in a dazzle. Blood gushed forth and the animal screamed as it collapsed on the sand. Finally the beast ceased its struggled and the head was removed. The runner departed and Messalla followed the youth, limping. He would ensure the head arrived as required and then return to begin the purification rites.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Consul Marcus Valerius Messalla, having been given the eastern command, begins to marshall a force of two legions within the Campus Martius. An additional two legions will be levied in Macedon from among willing veterans and green recruits from that province. The necessary rites and oaths are taken, and the enrollment of other officers begins.

Legio XIII Italica

Unit Auxiliaries 200 Medium Cavalry Legionary Retinue none Unit History 1. Messallan Legion founded 80 BCE Veteran Status 0 battles won

Legio IX Macedonica

Unit Auxiliaries 200 Medium Cavalry Legionary Retinue none Unit History 1. Messallan Legion founded 80 BCE Veteran Status 0 battles won

Legio X Sabina

Unit Auxiliaries 200 Medium Cavalry Legionary Retinue none Unit History 1. Republican Legion founded 80 BCE Veteran Status 0 battles won

Legio XI Primigenia

Unit Auxiliaries 200 Medium Cavalry Legionary Retinue none Unit History 1. Messallan Legion founded 80 BCE Veteran Status 0 battles won

Asian War Purse

40,000- Contributed by Messalla 40,000- Public funds Expenses: -72,000 Remaining: 8,000

[Pontifex Maximus]

Legio V is added to the legionary rosters, freshly returned from Spain.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Quintus Furius Sulpicianus enlists as a tribunis militum in the IX Macedonica.

[Oznerol]

The young Scipio arrives with his horse, sword and suit of armor, seeking Messalla.

[Pontifex Maximus]

He finds the Consul hobbling about, surveying the new recruits. He would indiscriminately pull one aside, inspect him, and send him off with a shout. Any man with a sign of weakness or disease was considered unfit for service. Some of his old veterans were even enlisting again, and Messalla would stop to chat with them like old friends. Soon Messalla found himself before Scipio "Scipio, I did not think I would see you here." He said to the man "Have you com to enlist?"

[Pericles of Athens]

Numerias arrives, as the city buzzed with excitement from the recent return of Lulus. His mind was a haze, Carbo had been captured, the man who'd killed Numerias' father, and the young man felt at peace for the first time in years even though his bid for the Preatorship had failed but a few days passed. He had high hopes that he would catch Messalla before the man left for Asia.

[Pontifex Maximus]

He found the Consul walking with his characteristic limp among some of the new recruits.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Scipio is made Tribunus Militum of the 3rd Legion.

Numerias is made Tribunus Militum of the 10th Legion.

Teleport here to begin RP for the war, any further applicants will need to travel to Macedon.

[Oznerol]

He finds the Consul hobbling about, surveying the new recruits. He would indiscriminately pull one aside, inspect him, and send him off with a shout. Any man with a sign of weakness or disease was considered unfit for service. Some of his old veterans were even enlisting again, and Messalla would stop to chat with them like old friends. Soon Messalla found himself before Scipio "Scipio, I did not think I would see you here." He said to the man "Have you com to enlist?"

"Yes"

Said Scipio.

"Without activity both body and mind grow dull and complacent. I thought it was about time I served in the army, as befitting a man of my birth and lineage"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"very well" the crippled Consul growled. "I shall give you a post befitting your station. You shall be military tribune of the 5th Legion."

[Pontifex Maximus]

Consul Gaius Sulpicianus commissions the levying of three legions:

Legio XIII Fortuna
Legio XIV Alaudae
Legio XV Gallica

In addition, the Consul releases 10,000 Denarii from the treasury to raise 2 cohorts of Equites Extraordinarii (Heavy Cavalry) from among the Latin allies.