Statue of Mars, York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Statue of Mars
The Statue of Mars in the Yorkshire Museum
Material	Sandstone
Created	c.4th century
Period/culture	Roman
Discovered	1880 Bar Convent, York, North Yorkshire
Present location	Roman Gallery, Yorkshire Museum, York
Identification	YORYM: 1998.26

The Statue of Mars, York is an ancient Roman stone statue. It shows the Roman god Mars. This amazing statue was found in York in 1880. Today, you can see it at the Yorkshire Museum.

The Roman God Mars Statue

How the Statue Was Found

This special statue was found in 1880. It was discovered in York, near a place called Bar Convent. Three religious altars were found with it. An altar is like a special stone table used for offerings.

The person in charge of Bar Convent, called the Mother Superior, gave the statue to the Yorkshire Museum. Back then, the museum was known as the Yorkshire Philosophical Society. The altars found with the statue were dedicated to Mars, the Mother Goddesses, and Veteris.

The statue was made very skillfully from local sandstone. It might have originally come from the Roman fortress in York, which was called Eboracum.

What the Statue Looks Like

The statue is about 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall. However, it is missing its feet and the base it once stood on. Mars is shown as a young soldier. He wears a Greek helmet and holds a large oval shield in his left arm.

He has a special Roman armor called a cuirass. It has fancy flaps under his arms and at the sleeves. Under his armor, he wears a tunic. A sword is strapped to his left side. His right arm is stretched out, but his hand is missing. He probably held a spear in that hand.

Where You Can See It

The Statue of Mars was first shown to the public in 1881. It was displayed at the Hospitium in the York Museum Gardens. Since then, it has always been an important part of the Yorkshire Museum's exhibits.

In the 1980s, the statue was part of an exhibit called "Roman Life at the Yorkshire Museum."

In 2010, the Yorkshire Museum reopened after being closed for a year. The new exhibit, "Roman York - Meet the People of the Empire," features the statue. It is a main part of the display and is located right at the entrance to the museum's main hall.

Images for kids

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  The museum's keeper, Liz Hartley, with the Statue of Mars in the 1980s.

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  The statue on display in 2007.

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  The statue on display in 2011.