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Welcome to March !

Martius

The Month of March : Martius or mensis Martius was the first month of the ancient Roman year until 153 BC. After that time, Martius became the 3rd month, following Februarius (February) and preceding Aprilis (April). September, October, November and December also became the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th month.

Detail of a 2nd century calendar mosaic from El Djem (antic Thysdrus), Tunisia

 

The God of War

Martius was one of the few Roman months named for a deity, Mars, the God of war, because it marked a return to the active life of farming and military campaigning.

Statue of Mars Ultor – 2nd century AD

Farming in March

The menologia rustica told farmers to expect 12 hours of daylight and 12 of night in March. The spring equinox was placed March 25. Farmers were instructed in this month to trellis vines, to prune and graft and to sow spring wheat.

Grafting Trees, Saint Romain en Gal

 

Sowing wheat mosaic panel , Cherchell, Algeria, Photo Steve Richard

 

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