by Tess Boardman

Created on: July 06, 2009   Last Updated: February 25, 2011

Ares, the Greek god of war, often depicted as a bearded warrior, was the son of Zeus and Hera, and is identified with battle lust, civil order, and courage. Ares was not liked by the other Olympian gods and in the Iliad, Zeus, his father, is quoted as saying, "You are the most hateful to me of all the gods who hold Olympus; forever strife is dear to you and wars and slaughter."

However, he had many lovers, which included divine goddesses, nymphs and mortal women, and fathered many children. He was the lover of Aphrodite, who was the wife of Hephaistos, and she gave him four sons. The affair between Ares and Aphrodite was discovered by Helios, the sun god, who then told Hephaistos of the tryst. Her jealous husband caught the two in the act in a net and put them on display for all the other gods to see.

He often distributed his wrath in the form of war and battles, rarely singling out an individual for revenge and punishment. However, there are examples of his rage against individual offenses. One of these includes his reaction to an affair between Aphrodite and Adonis. Aphrodite brought about Ares' jealousy when she set her eyes upon Adonis and bore him a child. Ares turned himself into a boar and killed Adonis.

In other fit of rage, Ares sought out a youth who raped his daughter, killing him. The young man was the son of Poseidon, who reacted by having Ares put on trail for the murder. Aeropagus, or the Hill of Ares, was named for the trial that ensued there.

The Spring of Ares is also featured in legend when Cadmus, a Phoenician prince, sent his men to fetch water from the spring. They encountered a serpent, Drakon, who was the son of Ares. Drakon killed most of the men, who was then slain by Cadmus. He planted the teeth from which produced the warriors known as Sparti, or Spartans. Cadmus was forced to serve hard labor for eight years. Ares exacted further revenge by turning both Cadmus and his wife into serpents.

Ares is closely associated with the Roman god of war, Mars. His symbols are a spear, vultures and dogs. He rode in a chariot pulled by four stallions, which were said to spit fire. He had few temple sites devoted to him, as most did not want to invoke the spirit of bloodlust and battle unless it was in a time of war. Sparta was an exception, where warriors would sacrifice a dog in his honor before heading off to fight.

Like many tales in Greek mythology, there are various versions of each story told. However, Ares is prominently known for his unpredictable blood lust and anger and desire for slaughter.

Learn more about this author, Tess Boardman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.