152 MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGIOUS RITES. 
and he appeared like the latter in different relations. Because war was the 
chief business of the Romans, it was natural to ascribe to him the same love 
of slaughter. In pl. 15, fig. 13, we see a picture of Mars Gradivus (the 
Advancing), as he returns from battle with his lance, and the armor of a 
fallen enemy hung upon a pole, which he carried on his shoulder as a 
trophy of victory. The term gradwus, however, also and more properly 
characterizes him as repairing with rapid strides to the field of contest. As 
Mars Ultor (the Avenger) he appears (pl. 27, jig. 27) with the shield in 
front, and raised spear ready to be hurled against an adversary. Some- 
times he was regarded, particularly after a battle, as Mars Pacificus, the 
bearer of peace (pl. 17, jig. 22). In this character he carries in the left 
hand an image of the goddess Vectorza, and in the right an olive branch, 
both signs of peace acquired by war. The shield and lance are laid aside, 
and no armor appears except the helmet. 
Like the other gods, Mars had numerous Genii in his service, three of 
whom are represented on pl. 18. The first (jig. 6) is carrying his sword 
resting in its scabbard, the second (jig. 7) his helmet, and the third (jig. 
8) his shield. All three are winged, and wear wide open mantles. 
The sons and constant attendants of Mars were Pallor (Dismay) and Pawor 
(Fear). The head of Pallor is given on a coin of Hostilius (pl. 30, fig. 
30a and 6), with a war trumpet behind it. On the reverse stands Dana, 
with a radiant crown and a dress with straight folds; with her right hand 
she holds a stag by the horns, and in the left a spear. Pavor, ona denarius 
of the same time (fig. 31), is accompanied by a shield. 
The sister of Mars was Gellona, the strangler and the desolator of cities, 
the goddess of war, and the driver of his battle-car during the conflict. It 
was her province to inflame the fury of soldiers, and to arouse their thirst 
for slaughter; and accordingly she was represented armed with shield and 
helmet (pl. 15, jig. 14.) 
The most noted solemnity annually observed in honor of Mars was the 
shield dance of the Sali (fig. 25). It occurred on the 1st of March. The 
Salii were priests of Mars, twelve in number, whose chief was called 
Presul ; their principal musician, Vates ; and he who inducted new mem- 
bers, Magister. In addition to these he had another priest of superior 
rank, with the title of “amen Martialis, who was one of a class of priests 
of the first rank instituted by Numa. The Salii dressed in a variegated 
tunic, embroidered with scarlet, and a peaked cap or conical helmet. The 
whole ceremony originated thus: In the time of Numa, a brazen shield 
(ancile) fell down from heaven. The soothsayers pronounced it a pledge 
«from Mars to the Romans, of his future favor and their consequent good 
fortune ; and so long as the shield should remain in Rome, so long should 
they have success in war, and enjoy the sway of the world. That so valua- 
ble an object might not be lost, Numa ordered eleven similar shields to be’ 
made, and the whole twelve to be deposited in the Sacrarvwm of the Salii, 
whose duty it became as priests of Mars to guard them on the Palatine 
Hill. During the annual procession or dance, the Salii appeared in short 
tabards, with iron girdles and brass buckles, with iron helmets, a sword in 
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