CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Mars has a nasty habit of living up to its mythological name and besting Earth when it comes to accepting visitors.

Other major gods included Mars (god of war), Mercury (god of trade and messenger of the gods) and Bacchus (god of grapes and wine production). Romans also believed that many of their gods had ...

These thin sheets of lead were used to talk to the gods. Someone would write down a curse or wish, pierce the tablet with a nail, and place it in the ground via a grave or well.

Some found at this military frontier site depict Mars, god of war, while others bear likenesses of the goddess Diana, who protected women during childbirth, or Fortuna—luck.