Ben Bova, in his book _Mars_ wrote in the forward that Anglos trembled in their bloodlust when they beheld the planet Mars...yes, that sounds crazy to me, too.
I think it's time to re-name Mars.
Here is some background.

Excerpts from www.crystalinks.com/marsmetaphysical.html:

"Mars was a very important god to the Romans.

"The Son of Juno, he was the father of Romulus (Rome's founder).

His earliest form was a god of the spring and agriculture, responsible for vegetation, fertility and cattle.

Mars soon evolved into a god of war, with many of his agricultural duties turned over to Ceres and Liber, although every May 29th festivals of the Ambarvalia celebrated him as an agricultural god, with a pig, ram and bull sacrificed to him.

Mars as we know it today comes from the Roman word for the planet.

Mars is named for the Roman god of war because of its color--red--the color of blood."

• YouCorrectly Answered our Own Question (Do You Know Any Martians - pmartin - June 8, 2003 - 19:07 UTC
  • Foreward, into the past ! - whomi - June 8, 2003 - 21:38 UTC
  • I mean, we don't have to use that name, considering its history! - whomi - June 8, 2003 - 22:05 UTC