ARES: THE GOD OF WA
Ares - God of War
Ares (/ˈɛəriːz/; Ancient Greek: Ἄρης, Áres [árɛːs]) is the Greek god of war. He is one of the Twelve
Olympians, the son of Zeus and Hera.[1] In Greek literature, he often represents the physical or
violent and untamed aspect of war, in contrast to his sister, the armored Athena, whose functions as
a goddess of intelligence include military strategy and generalship.[2]
The Greeks were ambivalent toward Ares: although he embodied the physical valor necessary for
success in war, he was a dangerous force, "overwhelming, insatiable in battle, destructive, and man-
slaughtering."[3] His sons Phobos (Fear) and Deimos (Terror) and his lover, or sister, Enyo (Discord)
accompanied him on his war chariot.[4] In the Iliad, his father Zeus tells him that he is the god most
hateful to him.[5] An association with Ares endows places and objects with a savage, dangerous, or
militarized quality.[6] His value as a war god is placed in doubt: during the Trojan War, Ares was on
the losing side, while Athena, often depicted in Greek art as holding Nike (Victory) in her hand,
favoured the triumphant Greeks.[3]
Ares plays a relatively limited role in Greek mythology as represented in literary narratives, though
his numerous love affairs and abundant offspring are often alluded to.[7] When Ares does appear in
myths, he typically faces humiliation.[8] He is well known as the lover of Aphrodite, the goddess of
love, who was married to Hephaestus, god of craftsmanship.[9] The most famous story related to Ares
and Aphrodite shows them exposed to ridicule through the wronged husband's device.[10]
The counterpart of Ares among the Roman gods is Mars,[11] who as a father of the Roman people
was given a more important and dignified place in ancient Roman religion as a guardian deity.
During the Hellenization of Latin literature, the myths of Ares were reinterpreted by Roman writers
under the name of Mars. Greek writers under Roman rule also recorded cult practices and beliefs
pertaining to Mars under the name of Ares. Thus in the classical tradition of later Western art and
literature, the mythology of the two figures later became virtually indistinguishable.
Ares was one of the Twelve Olympians in the archaic tradition represented by
the Iliad and Odyssey. Zeus expresses a recurring Greek revulsion toward the god when Ares
returns wounded and complaining from the battlefield at Troy
Ares in Sparta
In Sparta, Ares was viewed as a model soldier: his resilience, physical strength, and military
intelligence were unrivaled. An ancient statue, representing the god in chains, suggests that the
martial spirit and victory were to be kept in the city of Sparta. That the Spartans admired him is
indicative of the cultural divisions that existed between themselves and other Greeks, especially the
Athenians (see Pelopponesian War).
Ares in the Arabian Peninsula
Ares was also worshipped by the inhabitants of Tylos. It is not known if he was worshipped in the
form of an Arabian god (or which one) or if he was worshipped in his Greek form.[25]
Ares in the Scythians
According to Herodotus' Histories, the Scythians worshipped a god he equated with the Greek Ares;
unlike most other Scythian gods, he does not offer the indigenous name for this deity. While ranking
beneath Tabiti, Api and Papaios in the divine hierarchy, this god was apparently worshipped
differently from other Scythian gods, with statues and complex altars devoted to him. This type of
worship is noted to be present among the Alans.[26]
Noting how Greek mythological Amazons are devotees of Ares and most likely based on Scythian
warriors, some researchers have considered the possibility that a Scythian warrior women cult of this
deity existed.[27] Others have also posited that the "Sword of Mars" alludes to the Huns having
adopted this deity.[28]
