Ares in Greek mythology is the Olympian god of war, violence, and bloodshed, representing the brutal and chaotic aspects of combat rather than its strategic or heroic side. He was the son of Zeus and Hera, and his Roman equivalent was Mars, though the two deities differed significantly in character and worship.
Origins and Family
Ares was born to the king and queen of the gods, Zeus and Hera, making him one of the twelve Olympians. Hesiod’s Theogony lists him among their children, alongside Eileithyia (goddess of childbirth) and Hebe (goddess of youth). Unlike many gods who had complex genealogies, Ares’ parentage is consistent across most ancient sources, though some later myths, notably in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, claim Hera conceived him parthenogenetically by touching a magical flower, as a counterpart to Zeus’s own parthenogenetic birth of Athena. However, the more widely accepted tradition in Homer and Hesiod is that he was Zeus’s acknowledged son.
Ares never married, but he had several notable consorts and offspring. His most famous relationship was with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, despite her marriage to Hephaestus. Their union produced several children, including Deimos (Fear), Phobos (Terror), Harmonia (Harmony), and Eros (Love), though the parentage of Eros varies. With the mortal princess Aerope, he fathered Alcippe, and with the huntress Atalanta, he fathered Parthenopaeus, one of the Seven Against Thebes. His sons were often personifications of war’s terrible attributes, and his daughters frequently became queens or heroines in Greek myth.
Character and Depictions
In Greek art and literature, Ares is almost always shown as a mature, bearded warrior in full armor, carrying a spear and shield. Unlike Athena, who represented strategic warfare and the protection of cities, Ares embodied the frenzy of battle, the joy of slaughter, and the sheer destructiveness of conflict. Homer calls him “the curse of mortals” and “the scourge of mankind,” and his presence on the battlefield is marked by panic and confusion. He is often accompanied by his sons Deimos and Phobos, and by Eris (Strife) and Enyo (the war goddess), who revel in the carnage.
His character is consistently negative in Greek myth. He is impulsive, bloodthirsty, and easily angered, and he is frequently mocked or defeated by other gods. In the Iliad, Zeus tells him, “To me you are the most hateful of all the gods who hold Olympus,” and he is wounded by Diomedes with Athena’s help, fleeing to Olympus in pain. This portrayal contrasts sharply with the Roman Mars, who was a more dignified agricultural and military protector. The Greeks had little reverence for Ares; his worship was limited, and he was often seen as a foreign god, associated with the barbaric north.
Major Myths and Stories
Ares features in several key myths, though rarely as the protagonist. The most famous is his affair with Aphrodite, which was exposed by her husband Hephaestus. Hephaestus crafted a golden net and trapped the lovers in bed, then summoned the other gods to witness their shame. While the gods laughed, Ares was humiliated, and the story became a cautionary tale about the consequences of adultery and the folly of the gods.
Another significant myth involves the murder of Halirrhothius, a son of Poseidon. Halirrhothius raped Alcippe, Ares’s daughter, and Ares killed him in retaliation. Poseidon demanded a trial, which was held on a hill in Athens that became known as the Areopagus (Hill of Ares). Ares was acquitted, and this myth was used to explain the origin of the Athenian court that later met there. This is one of the few myths where Ares is portrayed as a defender of his family rather than a mindless killer.
Ares also appears in the story of the founding of Thebes. When Cadmus sowed the dragon’s teeth, he killed a dragon sacred to Ares. As punishment, Ares forced Cadmus to serve him for eight years, and later gave Cadmus’s daughter Harmonia to him as a wife. This myth ties Ares to the Theban royal line, though the marriage was ultimately tragic, as Harmonia and Cadmus were turned into serpents. Additionally, in the Iliad, Ares fights on the side of the Trojans, and at one point is wounded by Diomedes and nearly killed by the giant Otus and Ephialtes, who imprisoned him in a bronze jar for thirteen months until Hermes rescued him.
Worship and Cult
Ares was not widely worshipped in ancient Greece compared to other Olympians. His cult centers were relatively few, with notable temples in Sparta, Athens, and a few other cities. In Sparta, he was honored as a war god, and the Spartans sacrificed dogs to him, an unusual offering. In Athens, he had a temple on the Areopagus, and his altar was used for the trial of murder cases. However, his worship was often overshadowed by that of Athena, who was the patron goddess of many cities and warfare in a more civilized sense.
His festivals were not grand, and he was rarely invoked in prayers for victory. Instead, soldiers might offer him sacrifices before battle, but they were more likely to pray to Zeus or Athena. Ares was also associated with the Amazons, a mythical race of female warriors, who were said to be his daughters. This connection further emphasized his wild, untamed nature. In contrast, the Roman Mars was one of the most important deities, second only to Jupiter, and had a major festival in March, the month named after him.
Symbols and Attributes
Ares’s primary symbols are the spear, the shield, and the helmet, reflecting his martial nature. He is also associated with the vulture and the dog, animals that scavenge on battlefields. In some depictions, he carries a torch or a burning brand, symbolizing the destruction of war. His chariot was pulled by four fire-breathing horses, named Fire, Terror, and similar epithets, which were said to be the offspring of the north wind Boreas. He was also linked to the boar, an animal known for its ferocity, and in some regions, the woodpecker was sacred to him.
In art, Ares is often shown beardless in Hellenistic and Roman copies, but earlier Greek vases depict him with a beard. He is rarely shown without his armor, and when he is unarmed, it is usually in the context of his affair with Aphrodite. Unlike other gods who had distinct iconography, such as Zeus’s thunderbolt or Poseidon’s trident, Ares’s symbols are largely generic military equipment, which underscores his singular focus on war.
Ares vs. Mars
A common misconception is that Ares and Mars are the same god with different names. While the Romans equated Mars with Ares, the two deities had very different personalities and roles. Ares was a chaotic, destructive force, often despised by the Greeks. Mars, on the other hand, was a protector of agriculture and the Roman people, and he was honored as the father of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. Mars was a central figure in Roman religion, with numerous temples and festivals, while Ares was marginalized in Greek religion. This difference reflects the contrasting values of the two cultures: the Greeks valued strategy and wisdom in war (embodied by Athena), while the Romans valued strength and discipline (embodied by Mars).
In Roman literature, Mars was often portrayed more favorably, and his myths were adapted to emphasize his role as a guardian. For example, the story of his affair with Aphrodite (Venus in Roman myth) was less about humiliation and more about the union of love and war, which was seen as a positive force for Rome. Thus, while the two gods share a lineage and domain, their characters and significance are distinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Ares’ parents?
Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera, the king and queen of the Olympian gods. This parentage is stated in Homer’s Iliad and Hesiod’s Theogony, and it is the standard genealogy in Greek mythology.
Did Ares have any children?
Yes, Ares fathered several children. With Aphrodite, he had Deimos (Fear), Phobos (Terror), and Harmonia (Harmony). He also had other children with mortal women, such as Alcippe with Aerope, and Parthenopaeus with Atalanta. His sons often personified aspects of war, while his daughters were often queens or heroines.
Why was Ares hated by the other gods?
Ares was disliked because he represented the brutal, chaotic side of war, which was seen as destructive and uncivilized. Unlike Athena, who embodied strategic warfare and wisdom, Ares reveled in bloodshed and violence. His impulsive and aggressive nature often caused trouble, and he was frequently mocked or defeated, leading to his unpopularity among the gods.
What is the difference between Ares and Mars?
Ares was the Greek god of war, known for his violent and chaotic nature, while Mars was his Roman counterpart, who was more dignified and served as a protector of agriculture and the Roman state. Mars was highly revered in Rome, whereas Ares was relatively marginalized in Greece. The two deities had different myths, symbols, and levels of worship.
What happened to Ares in the Trojan War?
In the Iliad, Ares fought on the side of the Trojans. He was wounded by the Greek hero Diomedes, who was aided by Athena, and he fled to Olympus, complaining to Zeus. Zeus rebuked him, and his son, the god of healing, Paeon, tended to his wounds. This episode highlights Ares’s vulnerability and lack of respect among the gods.
Are there any temples dedicated to Ares?
Yes, there were a few temples and sanctuaries dedicated to Ares in ancient Greece, though they were not as numerous or grand as those of other gods. Notable ones included a temple in Athens on the Areopagus, a sanctuary in Sparta, and a temple in the city of Geronthrae in Laconia. However, his worship was limited compared to that of Athena or Zeus.
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