Ares: The Olympian God of War
Ares, recognized as the Olympian deity of warfare, represents the aspects of battle, valor, and societal order. In ancient Greek visual art, he was typically depicted either as a mature warrior with a beard, fully armed, or as a youthful, beardless figure equipped with a helmet and spear.
Myths of Ares
Ares’ narrative includes various tales of love and vengeance. He engaged in a scandalous affair with Aphrodite, which led to their capture by her husband Hephaestus, who ensnared them in a golden net for the other gods to observe. His jealousy over Aphrodite’s affection for the handsome Adonis drove Ares to transform into a boar and fatally wound him during a hunt. In another myth, Ares punished his daughter Harmonia and her husband Kadmos by converting them into serpents, and whisking them away to a paradise isle.
Ares was also known for his fierce protection of his daughter Alkippe, whom he defended by killing Hallirhothios after a rape attempt. Despite his actions, he was acquitted of murder in a trial in Athens. Additionally, he captured the notorious Sisyphos, who had dared to abduct Thanatos, the god of death. During the ordeal between Herakles and Ares’ adversary Kyknos, Ares suffered wounds and was forced to retreat to Olympus. Moreover, Ares supported his Amazonian daughters in their numerous combat endeavors, particularly Penthesileia during the Trojan War. Notably, he was imprisoned by the Aloadai giants after a fierce battle, later to be rescued by Hermes. During the Trojan War, Ares sided with the Trojans, only to be severely wounded by the Greek hero Diomedes, leading him to retreat in pain.
Symbols and Attributes
Ares is commonly recognized by his warrior’s peak helmet. He is often seen either wearing or holding it, even in peace-related imagery involving the gods. Other symbols include a spear, shield, and at times, a sword. Artists of the time typically illustrated his shield generically rather than with a unique emblem. Depicted often in armor common to Greek warriors, Ares might appear in a short tunic, breastplate, helmet, and greaves, with some representations showing him nude apart from his helmet and shield. His distinctiveness in ancient artworks can at times be muddled due to similarities with other warrior figures.
Sacred Animals
The serpent is the primary sacred animal of Ares, along with associations to various birds like vultures and certain owls, which were seen as omens of war and misfortune. Notable mythic creatures linked to Ares include the Colchian Dragon, tasked with protecting the Golden Fleece, and the Ismenian Dragon, a giant guarding Ares’ sacred spring near Thebes.
Ares’ Family
Ares, the son of Zeus and Hera, had siblings that include Eileithyia and Hebe, while sharing half-siblings with Athena, Aphrodite, Apollon, Artemis, Hermes, Dionysos, and Hephaistos. With Aphrodite, Ares fathered three notable children: Deimos (Fear), Phobos (Terror), and Harmonia (Harmony). Harmonia’s daughter, Semele, went on to become the mother of Dionysos. Ares is known to have had numerous mortal descendants, many of which inherited his violent nature and were often characterized as villains in tales.
Cultural Representations
Throughout antiquity, Ares was symbolized in various artistic forms, highlighting the ambivalence surrounding his character. He personified the chaotic nature of war rather than strategy, contrasting significantly with his sister Athena, who represented wisdom in battle. The duality of Ares’ character can be seen in literature where he is portrayed as both formidable and frequently falling victim to stronger forces, both from gods and heroes alike, illustrating the complex and often tumultuous character of warfare.
In Greece, while the worship of Ares was less widespread compared to other deities, he had dedicated temples in specific locations, such as Athens, Geronthrae, and Tegea, where festivals were conducted in his honor. His cult reflected the martial nature of the Thracian tribes, indicating his deep ties to primal warfare and combat.
