Humanity has long been fascinated by the planet Mars. Well before modern science fiction speculated about advanced civilizations upon Mars and the dire threat of invasion by little green men, the red planet was regarded as a malevolent agent of war, pestilence, and apocalyptic disaster. In an attempt to appease the capricious planet-god, various ancient cultures offered it human sacrifices. What is there about this distant speck of light that could inspire such bizarre conceptions culminating in ritual murder? And how do we account for the fact that virtually identical beliefs are to be found around the globe, in the New World as well as the Old? The present book will seek to address such questions.

c. 3000 BC: Egyptians recognize the apparent retrograde motion of Mars calling it Sekded-ef em khetkhet, one "who travels backward". Ancient Egyptians knew the planet by various names including Har décher (meaning the "Red One") and also Harmakhis.

This rust covered planet is the fourth from the sun and the last of the four terrestrial worlds in the solar system. Mars has 2 moons that are little more than large rocks trapped by the planet's gravity. A Martian day is very similar in length to one Earth day and has both daily and seasonal cycles just as on Earth. Also similar to Earth are the Martian polar caps which are formed mostly by frozen carbon dioxide, not water ice like that on Earth. These caps grow or diminish according to the season, almost disappearing at the time of a Martian summer.

The surface of Mars appears to have networks of canals, but are actually highly cratered and eroded areas which surface dust occasionally blows. Hurricane like winds blow this powdery surface dust around giving the impression of surface changes.

Mars was the god of war in Roman mythology. The ancient Romans gave Mars special importance because they considered him the father of Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. Originally Mars was a god of farmland and fertility. The month of March, the beginning of the Roman growing season, was named for him. Mars became the god of war after the Romans came into contact with Greek culture. They gave him many characteristics of the Greek god of war, Aries. In time, the Romans associated Mars with war. Before going into battle, Roman troops offered sacrifices to him. After winning a battle, they gave Mars a share of their spoils. The word martial, which means warlike, is based on the god's name. Mars is a zodiac planet playing important role in european and chinese astrologies.