Did you know March, the third month of the modern calendar, derives its name from Latin Martius, meaning “month of Mars”?
Mars was the Roman god of war, and March was originally the first month of the year in the early Roman calendar, aligning with the start of military campaigns after winter’s harsh pause. It also marked the beginning of spring, a time for renewal.
In Roman mythology, Mars was not just the god of war but also of agriculture, linking the month to both conquest and cultivation. It is believed in Roman tradition he was born in March and, therefore, the month was named for him. As the Julian and later Gregorian calendars evolved, January replaced March as the first month, but the name remained.
