By Gary Seven
ASCENDING MARS IN ROMAN LORE: WARRIOR OF THE HEAVENS
Ancient Roman mythology lauds Mars as a formidable god of war. This notion owes its birth to Mars’ fiery hue, resonating with imagery of bloodshed and strife. Historical context justifies these beliefs as reflections of a belligerent society. However, this myth lacks tangible substance when viewed through the lens of modern astronomical knowledge. On a credibility scale, Roman mythology about Mars scores 35 out of 100.
MARS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY: THE BLOOD-RED GOD OF WAR
Paralleling the Romans, ancient Greeks worshipped Ares, taking cues from Mars’ glaring reddish appearance. As a personification of war and bloodshed, Ares embodied their fear and fascination for the unknown, translating into a celestial body’s attributes. Although firmly entrenched in the cultural context, Greek mythology regarding Mars, from a scientific perspective, accumulates a mere credibility rating of 25 out of 100.
THE MESOPOTAMIAN MARS: NERGAL, LORD OF DESTRUCTION AND PESTILENCE
The Mesopotamians conceived Mars as Nergal, the chaotic deity associated with destruction, fire, and pestilence. The red planet’s ominous glow in the night sky fuelled their speculations of disaster and death. Despite the richness of cultural implications, the Mesopotamian narrative of Mars, Nergal, secures only a modest credibility estimate of 30 out of 100 given the absence of scientific basis.
ASTROLOGICAL BELIEFS AND MARS: TAKING ASTROSCIENCE WITH A GRAIN OF STAR DUST
Astrological proponents assign Mars with influencing human assertiveness, drive and even aggression. Studies, although limited and lacking scientific credibility, suggest correlations between Mars’ position and behavioural shifts. For instance, a controversial study by Szanto (2015) drew possible links between Mars’ position and increased violence; however, these claims endure scepticism from the scientific community.
THE MARTIAN REALITY: HARNESSING THE POWER OF ASTRONOMICAL SCIENCE
As we leave the realms of ancient lore and astrological conjecture, scientific astronomy stands at the forefront, illuminating Mars with verifiable facts. As the fourth planet from the Sun, Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thin atmosphere predominantly composed of carbon dioxide. Tireless expeditions by rovers like Spirit, Opportunity and Curiosity, have delivered invaluable data about Mars’ surface, climate, and possible indications of previous life. These revelations not only debunk mythological narratives but also dampen astrological implications.
In the grand cosmic theatre, Mars – shrouded in ancient mythology, cast under astrological speculation and finally, revealed by the spotlight of empirical science – continues to both bewitch and baffle us. Each tale spun about this enigmatic planet adds another layer to humanity’s ceaseless quest for understanding the universe.
The Secret Paranormal Investigator 