The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice/Hymns/Hymn 6

by Homer

VI. TO MARS.^[1]

Most mighty Mars, weigher down of chariots,^[2] gold-casqued, great-minded, shield-bearing, city-preserver, brass-equipped, strong-handed, untired, powerful in the spear, bulwark of Olympus, father of well-warred victory, aider of justice, tyrant over opponents, leader of most upright men, chieftain of valour, revolving thy fiery circle in æther among the seven wandering stars,^[3] where thy flaming steeds ever uplift thee above the third chariot.^[4] Hear, O helper of mortals, giver of daring youth, gently pouring down a gleam^[5] from on high for our livelihood, and martial valour, that I may be able to ward off bitter evil from mine head, and in my thoughts subdue the deceitful inclination of my soul, and also restrain the sharp wrath of anger, which incites me to enter on the chill battle. But do thou, blest one, give courage, and [grant] me to remain in the harmless laws of peace, escaping the conflict and violent fate of hostile men.

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1. This hymn is rightly regarded as Orphic, not Homeric, by Ruhnken, and Hermann has accordingly published it among his Orphica, p. 553. A comparison with a similar hymn to Mars, p. 334, will show how correct this view is.
2.  
3. Not the Pleiades, as Chapman supposed, but the planets. Cf. Hygin. Poet. Astron. ii. 42; iv. 19. But Eur. Iph. Aul. 7, has ἑπταπόρου Πλείαδος.
4. "Tertio loco inter planetas equi te vehunt, nempe initio numerandi superne facto ab Saturno." Ernesti.
5. It must be remembered that the star of Mars was called πυρόεις, on account of its superior brilliancy, "quia ignitis fulgorum ardoribus sanguinolentus, et minaci luminis coruscatione terribilis est," says Jul. Firmicus, Astron. i. 2.