Mars

Mars

Ares

In Roman mythology Mars was considered the father of Romulus and Remus, the mythical twin founders of Rome.

According to the story, their mother, the Vestal Virgin Rhea Silvia, was raped by Mars while she slept, and in her dreams she had a vision where she dropped a hairpin to the ground, and from which there sprang two twin trees.

Over time one of the trees grew so large that it covered the entire world with its shade, a reference to the ultimate success of Romulus and the growth of the huge Roman Empire.

1722

Louis Cheron

French 1660-1725,

pen and ink and wash over black chalk.