Ares, the Greek god of war, embodied the brutal aspects of battle. Known for his strength and chaos, he was both revered and feared. His worship was less widespread than other Olympians, but he held significance in Spartan culture.

Ares had a complex mythological presence, involved in major events like the Trojan War. He fathered notable offspring, including Phobos and Deimos, and engaged in conflicts with gods and mortals alike, often causing trouble in his wake.

Ares: The God of War

Origins and Attributes of Ares

• Ares personified the brutal and violent aspects of warfare in Greek mythology
• Originated from Thrace, a region known for its fierce warriors and martial culture
• Represented physical courage, strength, and the chaos of battle
• Spartans revered Ares as their patron deity, aligning with their militaristic society
• Depicted as a bearded, helmeted warrior wielding a spear and shield

Worship and Perception of Ares

• Received less widespread worship compared to other Olympian gods
• Greeks viewed Ares with ambivalence due to his association with the destructive nature of war
• Temples dedicated to Ares were rare in ancient Greece (Temple of Ares in Athens)
• Spartans celebrated festivals honoring Ares, including ritual sacrifices and military displays
• Romans later adopted Ares as Mars, elevating his status and associating him with agriculture

Ares' Companions and Offspring

Divine Entourage and Mythical Creatures

• Amazons, legendary warrior women, considered daughters or companions of Ares
• Deimos (Terror) and Phobos (Fear) accompanied Ares into battle as his sons and attendants
• Eris, goddess of discord, often joined Ares in spreading chaos on the battlefield
• Enyo, goddess of war and destruction, fought alongside Ares in various conflicts
• Ares' sacred animals included dogs, vultures, and boars, symbolizing aggression and ferocity

Notable Offspring and Relationships

• Fathered numerous children with both goddesses and mortal women
• Harmonia, daughter of Ares and Aphrodite, became a symbol of harmony and concord
• Cycnus, son of Ares, challenged and fought Heracles in a legendary duel
• Alectryon, a young soldier, failed to warn Ares of Helios' approach during his tryst with Aphrodite
• Ares transformed Alectryon into a rooster as punishment, explaining why roosters crow at dawn

Ares in Mythology and Conflicts

Involvement in Major Mythological Events

• Participated in the Trojan War, supporting the Trojans against the Greeks
• Wounded by Diomedes with the aid of Athena during the Trojan conflict
• Played a role in the founding of Thebes by assisting Cadmus in slaying the dragon guarding Ares' sacred spring
• Cadmus was forced to serve Ares for eight years as penance for killing the dragon
• Intervened in various heroic quests, often opposing the protagonists (Jason and the Argonauts)

Conflicts with Other Gods and Mortals

• Engaged in a love affair with Aphrodite, leading to conflict with her husband Hephaestus
• Hephaestus trapped Ares and Aphrodite in a magical net, exposing their affair to the other gods
• Competed with Poseidon for the affection of Halia, resulting in the transformation of her sons
• Killed Adonis, Aphrodite's mortal lover, out of jealousy (transformed into a boar)
• Frequently clashed with Athena, representing the contrast between strategic warfare and blind violence