Ares

God of Wild and Fearsome War

Ares was the Greek god of the violent, frightening side of war. He was usually described as a son of Zeus and Hera and appeared as a strong warrior carrying a spear, shield and helmet. Ares loved the noise and excitement of battle, which made him very different from Athena. Athena was also a war goddess, but she preferred planning, discipline and clever strategy. Ares was more likely to charge straight in and worry about the plan afterwards. Even Zeus complains about his love of fighting in the Iliad. The Greeks still worshipped Ares, but their stories often make him look much less sensible than Athena.

During the Trojan War, Ares supported the Trojans, partly because Aphrodite wanted him to help them. Unfortunately for him, Athena supported the Greeks. The human hero Diomedes managed to wound Ares while Athena guided his attack, and the injured war god raced back to Olympus complaining. Later, Athena even knocked him down with a stone. Ares was powerful, but Greek storytellers clearly enjoyed showing that strength was not everything. In another strange adventure, two gigantic brothers called Otus and Ephialtes captured Ares and shut him inside a bronze jar. He remained trapped for thirteen months until Hermes finally rescued him. Not exactly the glorious adventure you expect from the god of war!

Ares also had a famous relationship with Aphrodite, even though she was married to Hephaestus. When Hephaestus discovered them, he created an almost invisible metal net and trapped them together for the other gods to see. Ares and Aphrodite were connected with several children, including Phobos and Deimos, Fear and Terror. The Romans later connected Ares with Mars, but Roman Mars was much more respected and important to the state. Ares is exciting because he shows war without pretending it is always noble or clever. He is courage, anger, noise and panic all mixed together. If I had to choose someone to defend me, though, I would still pick Athena. She might actually remember to make a plan first.

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