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. Ares, the god of war Facts about Ares The following facts and profile provides a fast overview of Ares: Ares Profile & Fact File 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. |