personal · Roman

Prayer to Mars

Mars, whether you rush down from the cloud-capped Mount Haemus, whether on the frosty white mountains of Thrace, whether stirring on Monte Santo in Macedonia with the black boots of soldiers stationed on all the lands they hold, to make ready with me, and defend your Thrace, if it is made happy, the campaign coming into glory, the sacred oak will be dressed with an offering of spolia.

Commentarius · Commentary

Claudian's invective against Rufinus: Stilicho calls on Mars before the campaign.

The "wherever you may be" formula is the same as in Statius (apollo-020), but the addresses are chosen deliberately. Haemus, Rhodope, Athos, Pangaeus — all of them in Thrace and Macedonia, which is precisely where Stilicho is going. The god is summoned not from everywhere but from the theatre of the coming operations: he is already there, and only needs reminding.

And the vow is precisely named: "you shall be given an oak clothed in spoils". This is a tropaeum — a tree trunk hung with arms stripped from the enemy, the oldest Roman monument of victory. Stilicho promises not a temple and not games but a thing that is set up on the field itself, without leaving the spot.

The card's English renders only the invocation; the continuation of the speech is not included.

Fons · Source

AuthorClaudian

WorkIn Rufinum

Section1.334-348

Periodlate 4th / early 5th c. AD

OccasionStilicho's invocation of Mars before the campaign against Rufinus — promise of spolia on the sacred oak in exchange for victory

Classificatio · Taxonomy

CultureRoman

Formpersonal

DeitiesMars

FunctionsPetition · Dedication

SphereMilitary