---
title: Ares
author: Mark Cartwright
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Ares/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-03-30
---
# Ares
_Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_
Ares was the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) of [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/). He was perhaps the most unpopular of all the Olympian gods because of his quick temper, aggressiveness, and unquenchable thirst for conflict. Ares famously seduced [Aphrodite](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aphrodite/), unsuccessfully fought with [Hercules](https://www.worldhistory.org/hercules/), and enraged [Poseidon](https://www.worldhistory.org/poseidon/) by killing his son Halirrhothios.
One of the most human of the [12 Olympian gods](https://www.worldhistory.org/collection/58/the-12-olympian-gods/), Ares was a popular subject in Greek art. The god became even more popular in [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) times when he took on a much more serious aspect as [Mars](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mars/), the Roman god of war.
### Ares' Family Relations
Son of [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/) and [Hera](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hera/), Ares' sisters were [Hebe](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hebe/) and [Eileithyia](https://www.worldhistory.org/Eileithyia/). Despite being a god, the Greeks considered him from Thrace, perhaps in an attempt to associate him with what they thought of as foreign and war-loving peoples, wholly different from themselves. Ares had various children with different partners, several of whom were unfortunate enough to come up against Hercules when he performed his celebrated twelve labours. Ares' daughter [Hippolyta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hippolyta/), the [Amazon](https://www.worldhistory.org/amazon/) queen, lost her girdle to Hercules; his son Eurytion lost his cattle; and [Diomedes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Diomedes/) had his horses stolen by the Greek hero. The courageous but warlike [Amazons](https://www.worldhistory.org/amazon/) were also thought to be descendants of Ares.
In the Greek myths, Ares was noted for his beauty and courage, qualities which no doubt helped him win the affections of the Greek goddess Aphrodite (even though she was married to [Hephaistos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hephaistos/)) with whom he had a daughter, Harmonia, and the god of love and desire [Eros](https://www.worldhistory.org/Eros/). Hephaistos managed to entrap the lovers in an ingenious bed, and the tale is told in some detail in Book 8 of [Homer](https://www.worldhistory.org/homer/)'s *[Odyssey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Odyssey/)*. Once caught, the punishment for Ares' indiscretion was temporary banishment from Mount Olympus.
Described by [Hesiod](https://www.worldhistory.org/hesiod/) in his *[Theogony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theogony/)* as 'shield-piercing Ares' and 'city-sacking Ares,' the god represented the more brutal and bloody side of [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/), which was in contrast to [Athena](https://www.worldhistory.org/athena/) who represented the more strategic elements of warfare. In stories from [Greek mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Mythology/), Ares was usually to be found in the company of his other children with Aphrodite, Phobos (Fear) and Deimos (Terror), with his sister [Eris](https://www.worldhistory.org/Eris/) (Strife), and with his charioteer Ennyo.
### Ares Battles Hercules
The most popular myth involving Ares was his fight with Hercules. Ares' son Kyknos was infamous for waylaying pilgrims on their way to the oracle at [Delphi](https://www.worldhistory.org/delphi/), and so earned the displeasure of [Apollo](https://www.worldhistory.org/apollo/), who sent Hercules to deal with him. Hercules killed Kyknos, and a furious Ares engaged the hero in a fight. However, Hercules was protected from harm by Athena and even managed to wound Ares. Another myth and ignominious episode for Ares was his capture by the twin [Giants](https://www.worldhistory.org/Giants/) Ephialtes and Otus when they stormed Mount Olympus. They imprisoned the god in a [bronze](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/bronze/) jar (or cauldron) for one year and he was only freed through the intervention of [Hermes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hermes/).
[  Scene from the Shield of Hercules Jastrow (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2860/scene-from-the-shield-of-hercules/ "Scene from the Shield of Hercules")### The [Trojan War](https://www.worldhistory.org/Trojan_War/)
In Homer's version of the Trojan War in the *[Iliad](https://www.worldhistory.org/iliad/)*, Ares supports the Trojans, sometimes even leading them in battle along with Hector. The *Iliad* shows Ares in a less than positive light and a rather unpopular member of the Greek [pantheon](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pantheon/). He is described as 'hateful Ares,' 'the man-killer,' 'the war-glutton,' and the 'curse of men.' Homer's picture of Ares, like the above mythological tales, often demonstrates his weakness in comparison to the other gods. Ares is roundly beaten by Athena who, supporting the Achaeans, knocks him out with a large rock. He also comes off worse against the Achaean hero Diomedes who even manages to injure the god with his spear, albeit with the help of Athena. Homer describes the scream of the wounded Ares as like the shouts of 10,000 men. Fleeing back to Olympus, Zeus ignores the complaints of Ares but instructs Paieon to heal his wound.
### [Athens](https://www.worldhistory.org/Athens/) & Cult of Ares
Ares again upset the harmony of Olympus when he was accused of killing Poseidon's son Halirrhothios near a stream below the Athenian [acropolis](https://www.worldhistory.org/Acropolis/). A special court was convened - the Areopagos - on a hill near the stream, to hear the case. Ares was acquitted as it was disclosed Halirrhothios had raped Ares' daughter Alcippe. Thereafter in Athens, the Areopagus became the place of trial for cases involving murder and impiety.
[  Ares Alkamenes Carole Raddato (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/6430/ares-alkamenes/ "Ares Alkamenes")Perhaps unsurprisingly, considering the city's strong militaristic [culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/culture/), Ares was greatly esteemed in [Sparta](https://www.worldhistory.org/sparta/). Ares was not commonly worshipped but there were cult sites with temples dedicated to the god on [Crete](https://www.worldhistory.org/crete/) (he is mentioned in [Linear B](https://www.worldhistory.org/Linear_B_Script/) tablets from [Knossos](https://www.worldhistory.org/knossos/)) and at [Argos](https://www.worldhistory.org/argos/), Athens, Erythrae, Geronthrae, Megalopolis, [Tegea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tegea/), Therapne, and Troezen. He also had a cult in Thrace and was popular among the Colchians on the Black Sea.
### How is Ares Represented in Art?
In ancient Greek [Archaic](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Archaic/) and Classical art, Ares is most often depicted wearing full armour and helmet and carrying a shield and spear. In this respect, he may appear indistinguishable from any other armed warrior. Sometimes the Greek deity is shown riding his [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/) pulled by fire-breathing horses. The myth of Ares' battle with Hercules was a popular subject for Attic vases in the 6th century BCE.
In later times, the Roman god Mars was given many of the attributes of Ares, although, as was typical of the Roman view of the gods, with less human qualities. In [Roman mythology](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Mythology/), Mars was also the father of [Romulus and Remus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Romulus_and_Remus/) (through the rape of the [Vestal Virgin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Vestal_Virgin/) [Rhea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rhea/) Silvia), the legendary founders of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/), and, therefore, the city achieved a sacred status. Like Athena for Athens, Mars was also the patron god of the Roman capital and the month *martius* (March) was named after him.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- Carabatea, M. *Greek Mythology.* Pergamos, Peania, 2007
- [Carpenter, T.H. *Art and Myth in Ancient Greece.* Thames & Hudson, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B000EQ2DA0/)
- [Graves, R. *The Greek Myths.* Penguin UK, 2011.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0241952743/)
- [Hesiod. *Hesiod.* Loeb Classical Library, 2007.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0674996224/)
- [Homer. *The Iliad.* Penguin Classics, 1998.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140275363/)
- [Homer. *The Odyssey.* Penguin Classics, 1999.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140268863/)
- Hope Moncrieff, A.R. *Classical Mythology.* Senate, London, 1994
- [Hornblower, S. *The Oxford Classical Dictionary.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199545561/)
- [National Geographic. *National Geographic Essential Visual History of World Mythology.* National Geographic, 2008.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/142620373X/)
## About the Author
Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share.
## Timeline
- **c. 700 BCE**: [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) poet [Hesiod](https://www.worldhistory.org/hesiod/) writes his *[Theogony](https://www.worldhistory.org/Theogony/)* and *[Works and Days](https://www.worldhistory.org/Works_and_Days/)*.
## Questions & Answers
### What is Ares the god of?
Ares is the Greek god of war.
### Is Ares good or bad?
Ares is more bad than good since he causes wars and conflicts, even among the gods and heroes. He also has a bad temper and is known for being too aggressive.
### Is Ares the son of Zeus?
Ares is the son of Zeus and Hera.
### Who is Ares in love with?
In Greek mythology, Ares is in love with Aphrodite, the wife of Hephaestus.
## External Links
- [Ares – Mythology Unbound: An Online Textbook for Classical Mythology](https://uen.pressbooks.pub/mythologyunbound/chapter/ares/)
- [A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology: Ares](https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0104:entry=ares-bio-1)
## Cite This Work
### APA
Cartwright, M. (2017, March 24). Ares. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Cartwright, Mark. "Ares." *World History Encyclopedia*, March 24, 2017. .
### MLA
Cartwright, Mark. "Ares." *World History Encyclopedia*, 24 Mar 2017, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 24 March 2017. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.