Mercury, Venus, and Mars derive their names primarily from which ancient naming tradition?
Answer
Roman (and sometimes Greek) mythology
The primary source for the names of the other major planets orbiting the Sun—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—is classical mythology. These names were assigned based on their appearance in the sky, often being perceived as distinct, bright wanderers. For example, Mars is named for the god of war, linked to its red hue, and Venus after the goddess of love due to its brightness. Earth stands apart because it was named according to its terrestrial substance ('ground'), rather than being elevated to the status of a mythological entity separate from the observer, which was the pattern established for these remote, visible bodies.
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