Iupiter

Iupiter is the supreme god of the Roman pantheon, called dies pater, "shining father". He is a god of light and sky, and protector of the state and its laws. He is a son of Saturn and brother of Neptune and Juno (who is also his wife). The Romans worshipped him especially as Iupiter Optimus Maximus (all-good, all-powerful). This name refers not only to his rulership over the universe, but also to his function as the god of the state who distributes laws, controls the realm and makes his will known through oracles. His English name is Jove.

He had a temple on the Capitol, together with Juno and Minerva, but he was the most prominent of this Capitoline triad. His temple was not only the most important sanctuary in Rome; it was also the center of political life. Here official offerings were made, treaties were signed and wars were declared, and the triumphant generals of the Roman army came here to give their thanks.

Other titles of Iupiter include: Caelestis (heavenly), Lucetius (of the light), Totans (thunderer), Fulgurator (of the lightning). As Iupiter Victor he led the Roman army to victory. Iupiter is also the protector of the ancient league of Latin cities. His attribute is the lightning bolt and the eagle is both his symbol and his messenger.

Mars

The god of war, and one of the most prominent and worshipped gods. In early Roman history he was a god of spring, growth in nature, and fertility, and the protector of cattle. Mars is also mentioned as a chthonic god (earth-god) and this could explain why he became a god of death and finally a god of war. He is the son of Iupiter and Iuno. According to some sources, Mars is the father of Romulus and Remus by the Vestal Ilia (Rhea Silvia). Because he was the father of these legendary founders of Rome, and thus of the Roman people, the Romans styled themselves 'sons of Mars'.

His main sanctuaries where the temple on the Capitol, which he shared with Iupiter and Quirinus, the temple of Mars Gradivus ("he who precedes the army in battle") where the Roman army gathered before they went to war, and the temple of Mars Ultor ("the avenger"), located on the Forum Augustus. The Campus Martius ("field of Mars"), situated beyond the city walls, was also dedicated to him. Here the army was drilled and athletes were trained. In the Regia on the Forum Romanum, the 'hastae Martiae' ("lances of Mars") were kept. When these lances 'moved', it was seen as a portent of war. The warlord who was to lead the army into battle had to move the lances while saying 'Mars vigila' ("Mars awaken"). As Mars Gradivus, the god preceded the army and led them to victory.

He had several festivals in his honor. On March 1, the Feriae Marti was celebrated. The Armilustrium was held on October 19, and on this day the weapons of the soldiers were ritually purified and stored for winter. Every five years the Suovetaurilia was held. During these fertility and cleansing rites, a pig (sus), a sheep (ovis) and bull (taurus) were sacrificed. The Equirria were on February 27 and March 14, on which horse races were held. The Quinquatrus was on March 19 and the Tubilustrium on March 23, on which weapons and war-trumpets were cleansed. The priests of Mars, who also served Quirinus, were called the Salii ("jumpers"), derived from the procession through the streets of the city which they completed by jumping the entire way and singing the Carmen Saliare. Mars' own priest was called the flamen Martialis.

Mars is portrayed as a warrior in full battle armor, wearing a crested helmet and bearing a shield. His sacred animals are the wolf and the woodpecker, and he is accompanied by Fuga and Timor, the personifications of flight and fear.

Kalends of Martius, The Festival to Mars, March 1
Equirria, a Festival of Horse Racing dedicated to Mars, March 14
Agonalia, Celebration to Mars, March 17
The Quinquatria, Greater Feast of Mars, March 19-23
Tubilustrium, Purification of the Trumpets, March 23
Idus Aprilis, sacred to Iupiter, April 13
Tubilustrium, Purification of the Trumpets, May 23
Ambarvalia, The Ritual Purification of the Fields, May 29
Anniversary of the Dedication of the Temple of Mars near the Capena Gate, June 1
Minor Quinquatrus, the Lesser Feast of Mars, June 13
Summanus, Sacred to Summanus, an aspect of Iupiter, June 20
Iupiter Stator, Sacred to Iupiter Stator, June 27
Nones September, Sacred to Iupitor Stator, September 5
Idus September, Sacred to Iupiter Optimus Maximus, September 13
Nones October, Sacred to Iupiter Fulgur, October 5
Armilustrium, Weapons of the Soldiers Ritually Purified and Stored for Winter, October 19
Ludi Plebeii, Public Games Common, November 4-17
Idus November, Sacred to Iupiter, November 13
Saturnalia, Festival of Saturn, December 17-23
Regifugium, celebration of the founding of the Republic, February 24
Equirria, a Festival of Horse Racing dedicated to Mars, February 27
Suovetaurilia, Fertility and Cleansing Rites, Every 5 Years

Temple of Iupiter, The Gens Vitellia Virtual Temple of Iupiter
Temple of Mars, The Gens Vitellia Virtual Temple of Mars
Lararium, The Gens Vitellia Virtual Household Lararium

Meet Our Citizens

Marcus Vitellius Ligus  (US-FL)  |  Album Civium Page  |  Webpage
Atius Vitellius Arminus  (US-VA)  |  Album Civium Page  |  Webpage
Lucius Vitellius Triarius  (US-TN)  |  Album Civium Page  |  Webpage
Sextus Vitellius Scaurus  (US-TN)  |  Album Civium Page  |  Webpage
Quintus Vitellius Avitus Vopiscus (US-TN)  |  Album Civium Page  |  Webpage
Quintus Vitellius Arcarius (TH-Chiang Mai)  |  Album Civium Page  |  Webpage
Titus Vitellius Avitus (US-TN)  |  Album Civium Page  |  Webpage