Investigating the Cult of Mars
When H. G. Wells wrote his famous War of the Worlds it is explicitly stated that "The chances against anything manlike on Mars are a million to one," he said. But could this father of modern science 'fiction' be deadly wrong?
Most people rarely consider our closest planetary neighbour, to them it is merely a barren, lifeless place. But could the general public be deadly wrong? Scientists have been probing for extraterrarestrial life since the mid 20th century, supposedly looking for evidence of simple, microscopic organisms. However their true intentions could be very different.
The earliest records of Mars or Martians come from the Ancient Romans, revered as a god of great military power and father to their civilisation. We all know Rome was the greatest empire the world had seen until the founding of the U. S. of A. but how did they procure such a mighty title? Many historians would admit that it is not impossible that an outside force could have aided the Ancient Romans. If a race of hyper-intelligent beings had managed to travel from Mars to the Italian penninsula 2000 years ago, it logically follows that they would have vastly superior technology. Clearly with this advantage they could conqueor the Mediterreanian with ease, claiming the favour of Mars to be their the root of their success. The evidence is still visible today: the 'Field of Mars' is believed to be a gathering place for the Roman armed forces, but aren't fields also valid areas for the takeoff and landing of spaceships?
But what if they had arrived earlier? Modern 'Egyptologists' often laugh at the idea of aliens arriving on Earth and constructing the pyramids. But could these scholars be deadly wrong? It stands to reason that moving large granite blocks into a pyramidal shape would be incredibly difficult and couldn't be done by primitive people. Modern science has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that granite-like rocks have developed on Mars itself, so any species that had developed there would be capable of manipulating it into complex structures.
The literary evidence for our Martian invaders doesn't stop in the classical age, however. William Shakespeare (aka. The Bard) uses it heavily in his work:
- “Assume the port of Mars; and at his heels, Leash'd in like hounds, should famine, sword and fire Crouch for employment.” (Henry V)
- “Beware the ides of March.” (Julius Caesar)
Whilst it is impossible to directly translate his plays into modern English we attempt gleam into the poet's mind. Clearly associated with death and destruction, could Shakespeare be warning us of the horrors our alien overlords might subject us to? Modern English experts will now dismiss these lines as the ravings of a latent homosexual, but could they be deadly wrong?
Observant readers will have also spotted a reference to these slavers that is still in use today! Indeed the month of March has be used since the Roman period until the modern day. Is it any surprise that Extraterrarestrial Abduction Day falls on the 20th of March?
I will be the first to admit that this work is partly speculative and that more evidence must be obtained before the public will accept it. Perhaps there are inconsistencies that need addressing, so I must ask that all readers remain dilligent in their pursuit of the 'Truth'. Many of you will be unable to accept the answers that have been compilated here so far and will only consider it to be fictitious ramblings.
But could I be deadly -right-...?