Ares (Roman Counterpart was Mars)
When the Roman Empire conquered the Greeks in 146BC, the Romans assimilated various elements from other cultures and civilisations, including the gods and goddesses that were worshipped by the Ancient Greeks. Many of the Greek gods and goddesses, such as Ares, were therefore adopted by the Romans but were given Latin names. The Roman counterpart was Mars. Facts about Ares
The following facts and profile provides a fast overview of Ares: Personality: Difficult, fierce, merciless, moody, unpopular and argumentative Appearance: Strong warrior, always carried his weapons Role & Function: His function is described as being the god of War and champion of the gods, although all the gods disliked Ares Status: Major God and one of the Twelve Olympians Symbols: A sacred shield, a Spear, a Burning Torch, Vulture, Dog, Woodpecker, eagle and owl Alternative Names: None Gender: Male Roman Counterpart: The Roman name for this god was Mars Name of Consort: Aphrodite Name of Father: Zeus Name of Mother: Hera Names of Children: His children included Eros, god of love, Himerus, Anteros, Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, and Adrestia
The Family of Ares
According to Greek legends and myths the family of Ares were as follows: - Father: Zeus
- Mother: Hera
- Brothers: Hephaestus
- Sisters: Hebe and half-sister Athena
- Consort: Aphrodite
- The names of the children of Ares were: Eros, Anteros, Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, Himerus and Adrestia
Ares and Mount Olympus
In Greek Mythology the principle Greek gods, that included Ares, were referred to as the Twelve Olympians and lived on the summit of Mount Olympus which was protected by a special layer of clouds. The gods and goddesses who lived on Mount Olympus attended sumptuous banquets in the council-chamber of the gods and feasted on ambrosia (the food of the gods) and nectar (the drink of the gods). The names of the other Olympian gods were Zeus, Hera, Athena, Hestia or Dionysus, Apollo, Aphrodite, Poseidon, Demeter, Artemis, Hephaestus and Hermes. He was strongly associated with his sister Eris, the goddess of Strife, Discord and War. Ares Symbols
In the sculptures, vases, mosaics and paintings of Greek Art the god Ares was often illustrated as a cruel and bloodthirsty god. His symbols were: - Bronze armor and his spear
- Burning Torch (the priests of Ares carried burning torches as the sign of battle to opposing armies)
- Vulture
- Dog
- Woodpecker, eagle and owl
The armor and weapons represent his role as the god of battle and war. He is depicted as a powerful, strong, god who rode a chariot drawn by four gold-bridled fire-breathing stallions who were called Aithon (Red-Fire), Phlogios (Flame), Konabos (Tumult) and Phobos (Panic and Flight). Ares bestowed a "manly" spirit upon his daughters, the warrior women called the Amazons. The birds of Ares called the Ornithes Areioi, were a flock of birds that dropped darts instead of feathers and guarded his shrine that was worshipped by the Amazons. Facts about Ares in Greek Mythology in Greek Mythology
Discover interesting information and facts about the Greek god of war featured in the stories, myths and legends in Greek Mythology. The facts provide a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about Ares in Greek Mythology in Greek Mythology. He fought with the other gods in a War against the Gigantes who were a race of serpent-footed giants He killed slew the Gigante named Mimas Hermes rescued him when he was a captive of the the Aloadai giants who had rebelled against the gods Tuesday was named after the Germanic god Tiu or Tyr who was identified with Ares. The Greeks called their Tuesday "Hemera Areos" meaning the Day of Ares. He slew the giant Echidnades, a monster and enemy of the gods He was caught in an invisible net by the god Hephaestus whilst committing adultery with the god's wife Aphrodite He assisted the armies of Troy in the Trojan war against the Greeks, but was wounded in an encounter with the hero Diomedes and the goddess Athena He killed Halirrhothios, son of Poseidon
Ares in Greek Mythology - the Lover
Ares, the Greek god of War, featured in the stories, myths and legends in Greek Mythology and is renown as a lover whose liaisons with mortals led to the birth of famous demigods. The names of his lovers were Pelopia, Pyrene, Rhea Silvia and Aphrodite. |
