Mars (god)

Mars is the ancient Roman god of war and deity which members of Caesar's Legion worship.
==Background==
The worship of Mars is mentioned throughout the Legion. Legate Lanius, commander of the Legion army, informs the Courier that the Son of Mars granted him his name, and that he is whom he serves.Courier: "You're the Legate, I'm guessing?"Lanius: "I am the commander of this army. The Son of Mars has granted me the name Lanius. And the time to serve him has come once more."(Lanius' dialogue) If the Courier chooses to align with the Legion, Lanius will leave them with parting words on their way to Hoover Dam, imploring them not to fail Mars or the Legion, as Mars' eyes are upon them.The Courier: "Time to go pay General Oliver a visit."Lanius: "Mars's eyes are upon you. Do not fail him - or me."(Lanius' dialogue, line 143 and line 52) Caesar refers to himself as the "Son of Mars" and the belief system of which they follow claims that Mars cleansed the Earth with fire to facilitate Caesar's conquest of the Earth.Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition p.41: "Caesar's LegionThis horde of cruel, yet highly disciplined slavers has spread across the southwest like an all-consuming flame. Founded by a fallen member of the Followers of the Apocalypse, Caesar's Legion is effectively an enormous, conscripted slave army. As Caesar conquers the peoples of the wasteland, he strips them of their tribal identities and turns their young men into ruthless legionaries and women into breeding stock. Unlike the rag-tag Raiders back east, Caesar's 'Legionaries' neither look nor act like haphazard, irregular troops. They are well organized, moving and attacking in large packs, and deliberately commit atrocities to terrorize those who might dare oppose them.True, Caesar is the perfect man. But he is not just a man: he is the Son of Mars, ordained by the god of war to conquer all Earth. To prepare the way, Mars razed the Earth, cleansed it with fire, and brought the weak and the wicked low; and now his son has come to deliver the wasteland from chaos and barbarism. To follow Caesar is to obey the will of Mars; to disobey is to condemn oneself to death. As the Son of Mars, Caesar has the divine right to demand servitude from all he encounters. Not everyone believes that Caesar is the product of a god's loins, of course. The most recently captured slaves tend to be pretty skeptical. But they aren't very vocal in their criticisms, and their children are raised not by skeptical parents but by priestesses appointed to that task by virtue of their knowledge of an adherence to the state religion.Nearly all physically capable, compliant males are compelled to serve in its armed forces. The primary value of pre-menopausal females is to serve as breeding stock (with Caesar or a legate governing how they are assigned to males), though they, like older females and less physically-capable men, are also used to perform a variety of other tasks. The largest unit of organization in Caesar's Legion is the Cohort, numbering about 480 infantrymen. Cohorts are further divided into Centuriae, which contrary to their name numbers about 80 men, and each Centuriae is divided into ten 'tent groups' (Contubernia), making this the squad level of organization. Raiding parties are of this size (about eight men) and will be led by a decanus (a squad leader, basically).Caesar desires two things: a Carthage, and a Rome. In the NCR he has at last found a grand adversary, against which he can wage a military campaign worthy of history books. And in Vegas, powered and watered by its great dam, he has found a capital worthy of, well, a Caesar. Contrary to the old saw, Rome will be built in a day. All it takes is plentiful slave labor, and Caesar has that in spades."(Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide faction profiles)Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition p.461: "Important dates2248-2274 Caesar conquers the tribes of southeastern Utah, southwestern Colorado, the western edge of New Mexico, and the northern half of Arizona. By 2250 he has declared himself the Son of Mars. By 2255, he has established a capital of sorts amid the ruins of Flagstaff."Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide/Behind the Bright Lights & Big City Caesar, as the son of Mars, has his power often inflated and deified in the eyes of legionaries, who see Caesar as a supernatural entity who gives strength to those he favors.The Courier: "The power plant is what really matters. Have all of your men attack there. I'll finish things here."Intake tower centurion "[SUCCEEDED] Agreed. If we take the power plant, this battle is over. I'll have my men focus their efforts there. May the Son of Mars go with you."(Intake tower centurion's dialogue)The Courier: "Just make sure your men don't get in my way."Veteran decanus (Hoover Dam): "Ha ha, Mars favors the bold, does he not?"(VHDLegionCheckPointDecanus.txt)Intake tower centurion "Thank Mars. The assault can resume."(Intake tower centurion's dialogue)
Recently captured slaves are usually skeptical of that claim, but their children are taken by the Legion to be raised by priestesses to effectively indoctrinate them into the cult. Legionaries are the true believers and are completely adherent to the teachings of Mars, and often act disgusted at incompetence and weakness in their enemies.Legionary at the Hoover Dam: "By Mars these weaklings die easily."(Hoover Dam legionary's dialogue) 
Believing that the weak and wicked are brought low, the son of Mars rules with the goal of delivering the wasteland from chaos and barbarism.Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide Collector's Edition p. 41: "Caesar's LegionThis horde of cruel, yet highly disciplined slavers has spread across the southwest like an all-consuming flame. Founded by a fallen member of the Followers of the Apocalypse, Caesar's Legion is effectively an enormous, conscripted slave army. As Caesar conquers the peoples of the wasteland, he strips them of their tribal identities and turns their young men into ruthless legionaries and women into breeding stock. Unlike the rag-tag Raiders back east, Caesar's 'Legionaries' neither look nor act like haphazard, irregular troops. They are well organized, moving and attacking in large packs, and deliberately commit atrocities to terrorize those who might dare oppose them.True, Caesar is the perfect man. But he is not just a man: he is the Son of Mars, ordained by the god of war to conquer all Earth. To prepare the way, Mars razed the Earth, cleansed it with fire, and brought the weak and the wicked low; and now his son has come to deliver the wasteland from chaos and barbarism. To follow Caesar is to obey the will of Mars; to disobey is to condemn oneself to death. As the Son of Mars, Caesar has the divine right to demand servitude from all he encounters. Not everyone believes that Caesar is the product of a god's loins, of course. The most recently captured slaves tend to be pretty skeptical. But they aren't very vocal in their criticisms, and their children are raised not by skeptical parents but by priestesses appointed to that task by virtue of their knowledge of an adherence to the state religion."(Fallout: New Vegas Official Game Guide faction profiles)The Courier: "Who, Caesar?"Arcade Gannon: "Of course, Caesar! You can hardly even hold his men responsible, given how they're practically raised to worship him as a living deity."(Arcade Gannon's dialogue) The belief in justice as a driving force is echoed by Legion members in conversation,The Courier: "Tell me about Caesar's Legion."Vulpes Inculta: "The Legion is civilization reborn. Our culture is based on virtues such as martial excellence, loyalty, and justice. But you'll learn all there is to know in due time. , Monster of the East, will soon arrive to command 's troops in battle. The Dam will fall, and the rest of the Profligate west will soon follow."(Vulpes Inculta's dialogue) but not all live up to that standard.The Courier: "And if you can't go through with it, you look even weaker."Silus: "You think I'm going to slit my throat for some megalomaniacal self-appointed dictator? I didn't work my way up to have it all be taken from me out of some irrational paranoia. Caesar's losing it. I believe that. He's been shutting himself in his tent. Privately, he complains of headaches. Whatever it is, it's affecting his ability to lead."(Silus' dialogue) Ritual sacrifice is practiced by Legate Lanius, who sacrifices captured NCR troopers and slaves in the hopes of appeasing Mars to grant him victory in battle.Legate Lanius: "Finally, Mars has accepted my sacrifices and unleashes me."(Lanius' dialogue)
==Notes==
Mars is the namesake of the month of March.
==Appearances==
Mars is mentioned in Fallout: New Vegas.
==Behind the scenes==
The worship of Mars is based on the real world Imperial cult of ancient Rome.
==References==
;Non-game
Category:Caesar's Legion
Category:Religions
Category:Fallout: New Vegas mentioned-only characters
es:Culto a Marte
zh:玛尔斯(神)
ru:Марс