Martius or
mensis Martius ("
March)" was the first month of the ancient Roman year until possibly as late as 153 BC. After that time, it was the third month, following
Februarius (
February) and preceding
Aprilis ("
April").
Martius was one of the few Roman months named for a
deity,
Mars, who was regarded as an ancestor of the Roman people through his sons
Romulus and Remus.