Ares: The God of War - Unveiling All His Myths and Legends.

Summary

Ares, the God of War, born from Zeus and Hera, is a fierce and impulsive deity who embodies the destructive and chaotic aspects of warfare. Despite his immense power, Ares' reckless nature leads to frequent clashes with other gods, especially his father Zeus and sister Athena. His love affairs, particularly with Aphrodite, produce powerful offspring and stir further conflict. Ares' journey is marked by rebellion, rivalry, and tragedy, from his role in the Trojan War to his final confrontation with Zeus, which threatens to reshape the divine and mortal worlds.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ares, the Greek god of war, was born from the union of Zeus and Hera, though his birth was a result of Zeus's deception of Hera, who had fled to a sanctuary of peace after the birth of Athena.
• 😀 Ares was known for his violent and impulsive nature, often sowing chaos and destruction. His reckless temperament was in stark contrast to his sister Athena, who embodied strategic and wise warfare.
• 😀 Despite being the God of War, Ares lacked the wisdom and strategy that Zeus believed was essential for a true warrior, which led to his dissatisfaction with his son's approach to conflict.
• 😀 One of Ares’s most notable love affairs was with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, which caused immense tension due to her marriage to Hephaestus. Their affair was eventually discovered through a trap set by Hephaestus.
• 😀 Ares had two sons, Otos and Ephialtes, with a mortal woman named Iphigenia. The twins, gifted with supernatural strength, rebelled against the gods and attempted to overthrow Olympus, only to be killed in the process.
• 😀 After the death of his sons, Ares mourned their loss, despite their rebellious actions. This showed his complex nature and his paternal connection to his children, even in the face of their defiance.
• 😀 Ares's relationship with the other gods, especially Athena, was marked by rivalry and enmity. Athena often thwarted his plans, as she embodied the more disciplined and just side of warfare.
• 😀 Ares's rebellious nature and desire for power led him to challenge his father Zeus multiple times, culminating in a dramatic battle where he sought to overthrow Olympus and destroy the divine order.
• 😀 During the Trojan War, Ares was deeply involved in the conflict, especially when his lover Aphrodite was wounded. His rage led him to ally with Hector in a bloody strike against the Greek troops.
• 😀 The climax of Ares's rebellion occurred in an epic battle between Ares and Zeus, where Ares nearly defeated his father. However, Zeus offered peace by promising to end the gods' interference in mortal affairs, which Ares demanded as a condition for peace.
• 😀 In the end, Zeus was forced to close the gates of Olympus, severing the gods' influence over humanity forever. This marked the conclusion of Ares's destructive rebellion and the cessation of divine interference in human affairs.

Q & A

How is Ares described in the beginning of the story?

Ares is depicted as an imposing and fearsome God of War, embodying brute force, courage, and violence. He is greatly feared due to his impulsive and reckless nature, often sowing chaos and destruction.

What is the origin of Ares according to the myth?

Ares is born from the union of Zeus, the king of Olympus, and Hera, the goddess of the sky. However, his birth is marked by deception, as Hera is tricked into giving birth to Ares when Zeus takes the form of a flower.

Why did Hera seek refuge in the temple of Cloris?

Hera, feeling humiliated after Zeus gave birth to Athena without her involvement, sought solace and peace to heal her wounded heart. She found refuge in the temple of Cloris, the goddess of flowers, where she was advised to seek a special flower that would restore her happiness.

What led to the creation of Ares, and how did Hera react?

Hera, following Cloris' advice, found a unique flower that turned out to be Zeus in disguise. Upon taking the flower in her hands, she unknowingly gave birth to Ares. Despite the deceptive nature of his birth, Hera grew to love him as her son.

What was the relationship between Ares and his father, Zeus?

Ares and Zeus had a strained relationship. Zeus was dissatisfied with Ares' impulsive nature and lack of wisdom in war, contrasting with his daughter Athena, who represented the strategic and wise side of war.

How did Ares' sons, Otos and Ephialtes, challenge the gods of Olympus?

Otos and Ephialtes, the sons of Ares and a mortal woman, sought to overthrow the gods of Olympus. They constructed a giant tower to reach the heavens and challenge the gods. Their rebellion ultimately led to their demise after a clever plan by Artemis and Hermes.

What role did Artemis play in the downfall of Ares' sons?

Artemis seduced Otos to provoke jealousy in Ephialtes. When the brothers tried to hunt her in the form of a deer, they accidentally killed each other with their own spears, leading to their death and the end of their rebellion.

Why did Ares feel pity for his sons after their deaths?

Despite their rebellion and attempt to overthrow the gods, Ares felt pity for his sons because, in their hearts, they shared his passion for war and conquest. This made their deaths particularly painful for him.

What was the nature of Ares' relationship with Aphrodite?

Ares had a passionate affair with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, despite her marriage to Hephaestus. Their relationship was secret, but it was eventually discovered when Hephaestus trapped them in a golden net, exposing their infidelity to the other gods.

What punishment did Hephaestus inflict upon Ares and Aphrodite for their affair?

Hephaestus trapped Ares and Aphrodite in a golden net as punishment for their affair. However, Ares embraced the situation, stating there was no shame in being bound to his beloved Aphrodite. After pleas from the other gods, Zeus eventually released them, but they continued their relationship and had five children.

What role did Ares play in the Trojan War, and how did his actions impact the battle?

Ares played an active role in the Trojan War, particularly when Aphrodite was wounded by Diomedes. Ares sought revenge and fought fiercely against the Greeks. However, his efforts were thwarted by Athena, who deflected his attacks. This led to Ares being wounded, but his involvement further fueled the violence of the war.

How did Ares' rebellious nature lead to his conflict with Zeus and other gods?

Ares' rebellious nature caused him to frequently challenge Zeus and the divine order. His violent and impulsive actions led to constant conflict with other gods, especially Athena, who often opposed him. Ares' disdain for humans and his desire for war pushed him to defy Zeus, leading to a destructive battle between father and son.

What was the outcome of the battle between Ares and Zeus?

The battle between Ares and Zeus was intense and destructive, shaking the foundations of the Earth. Ultimately, Zeus had to negotiate with Ares to prevent further destruction. Ares demanded that the gods sever their ties with humanity and stop interfering in human affairs, a condition which Zeus reluctantly accepted, leading to a temporary peace.