[month] 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 pe... Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martius_(month)