domenica 3 marzo 2019

Greek/Roman Deities: Ares/Mars

March was the first month of the Roman calendary, and was named after the god of war, Mars. He was the mythic father of the first king, Romulus, and for extension, of the whole Roman people. Romans were a military lot, devoted to conquer and “civilize” every other nation, and so their patron couldn’t be a better choice.
But for Romans, Mars was a very different deity from the Greek Ares. In Greece, tactics and strategy belonged to another warrior deity, Athena, who thanks to reason and cunning conquered victory (Nike). Ares was the patron of wanton and reckless destruction, “hateful to mortals and gods alike”, begetter of Fear and Terror (Phobos and Deimos), twin brother of Strife (Eris), and regularly defeated by his half-sister Athena whenever they had a fight (as in the Iliad). Ares was the negative face of war, the fight for thirst of blood and death.
Whereas Mars was a much more reasonable deity, a honorable protector who was worshipped by peasants praying him to keep the enemies away from their homes. He also was tied with agriculture, and incorporated the aspects of chivalry and strategy that his Greek counterpart lacked. In the month of March, priests called Salii (the Jumpers) danced hitting their shields in his honor and singing the Carmen Saliare.
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Ares (CE)
Favored Weapon: shortsword, spear
Domains: Chaos, Destruction, Evil, Strength, War
Subdomains: Blood, Demon, Fear, Ferocity, Hatred, Rage, Riot, [Weapons]
Inquisitions: Anger, [Blood], Conversion, Valor, [Weapons]
Mysteries/Spirits: Battle
Witch Patron: Devotion, Endurance, Portents, Strength
Alternate Channeling: Battle/Wrath, Bravery/Valor
Clergy: barbarians, clerics, fighters, inquisitors, oracles, warpriests, witches, zealots

Mars (N)
Favored Weapon: shortsword, spear
Domains: Community, Nobility, Protection, Strength, War
Subdomains: Defense, Ferocity, Fortifications, Home, Hubris, Leadership, Resolve, Tactics, [Weapons]
Inquisitions: Conversion, Tactics, Valor, [Weapons]
Mysteries/Spirits: Ancestor, Battle, Succor
Witch Patron: Ancestors, Boundaries, Devotion, Endurance, Portents, Protection, Spring, Strength
Alternate Channeling: Battle/Wrath, Bravery/Valor, City, Protection, Strength
Clergy: clerics, cavaliers, druids, fighters, inquisitors, oracles, warpriests, witches

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