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Ares in Greek Mythology: God of War and Fury

June 28, 2025

In the world of Greek mythology, many gods stood for wisdom, love, or nature. But one god represented raw power and rage—Ares, the Greek god of war. He wasn’t loved by many, but his name inspired fear across the battlefield.

Let’s step into the story of Ares in Greek mythology, and learn why he was both feared and misunderstood.

Who Is Ares in Greek Mythology?

Ares is the Olympian god of war, known for representing the chaos, bloodshed, and destruction that come with battle. Unlike his sister Athena—who stood for strategy and wisdom—Ares stood for brute force and violent action.

Ares in Greek armor with spear and shield. — Ares, the Greek god of war, ready for battle.

He loved war for war’s sake. Roaring in armor, armed with a spear, and often riding into battle with a fierce cry, Ares brought fear to both enemies and allies.

Ares’ Family and Origins

Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera, two of the most powerful Olympian gods. But even though he was their child, he wasn’t well-liked—not even by his own father.

He had many siblings, including:

Athena (goddess of wisdom and war strategy)
Hephaestus (god of fire and forging)
Eris (goddess of discord—often seen as his close companion in war)

He also had famous lovers, like Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Their relationship was intense, fiery, and scandalous—even though she was married to Hephaestus!

Powers of Ares in Greek Mythology

Ares and Aphrodite sitting together in Greek mythology. — Ares and Aphrodite, lovers from Greek myth, embody passion and chaos.

Ares was no ordinary warrior. His divine powers made him one of the most feared beings on the battlefield:

Superhuman strength and speed
Immortality – He could not die, though he was once injured in battle
Control over war and bloodlust
Fear and terror – He could strike fear into the hearts of entire armies

He rode a chariot pulled by fire-breathing horses, and was often followed by Deimos (terror) and Phobos (fear)—his twin sons with Aphrodite.

Ares’ Role in Myths and Wars

Ares appears in many Greek myths, but one of the most famous is the Trojan War.

During the war, he fought for the Trojans, helping them in battles against the Greeks. But he often made reckless choices, driven by emotion rather than wisdom.

At one point, Athena tricked him, and he was wounded by the Greek warrior Diomedes with help from the goddess. Ares cried out in pain and ran back to Olympus, complaining to Zeus like a scolded child.

This moment shows how, even though Ares was powerful, he lacked control and discipline—traits that made him less respected among the gods.

Ares’ Personality in Greek Mythology

Ares battling Athena in Greek mythology symbolism. — Athena and Ares represented two sides of war—brute force and wisdom.

Ares had a hot temper, a strong ego, and a hunger for battle. He was:

Aggressive and fearless
Quick to anger
Impulsive and passionate
Often reckless in war

Because of this, he wasn’t worshipped as widely as other gods. Some Greeks feared him more than they praised him. Only in places like Sparta, where war was valued highly, was Ares truly honored.

Facts About Ares in Greek Mythology

Ares was one of the few Olympians who was disliked by both mortals and gods.
He had several children with Aphrodite, including Eros (god of love).
He was defeated by Hercules in one myth after getting in his way.
His Roman counterpart is Mars, who was much more respected in Roman culture.
Ares had few temples, but he was worshipped by warriors and soldiers before battle.

Legacy of Ares Today

While Ares might not have been popular among ancient poets and gods, his image remains strong in modern stories, games, and movies.

In video games, Ares is often shown as a fierce, armored war god.
In comic books, especially DC and Marvel, he appears as a villain with massive power.
In modern culture, Ares represents rage, raw strength, and uncontrolled conflict.

He reminds us that war is not just strategy—it is also emotion, fury, and the human cost of violence.

Worship of Ares in Ancient Greece

Unlike gods like Athena or Apollo, Ares was not widely loved across ancient Greece. Most city-states did not build grand temples for him or hold festivals in his honor.

However, in Sparta, a city known for its warrior culture, Ares was respected and worshipped. Spartan soldiers would pray to him before battle, hoping to gain bravery, strength, and fearlessness.

In some regions, Ares was honored with blood sacrifices and weapons as offerings. Still, most Greeks saw him as a necessary force rather than a kind protector.

Spartan warriors worshipping Ares the war god. — Ares was respected in Sparta, the warrior city of ancient Greece.

Symbols of Ares in Mythology

As the Greek god of war, Ares had several important symbols that showed up in statues, paintings, and poems:

Spear – Ares’ primary weapon, symbolizing attack and violence
Helmet – Representing his warrior role
Shield – For battle and defense
Boar or vulture – Animals connected to bloodshed and war
Chariot pulled by fire-breathing horses – His terrifying battlefield vehicle

In artwork, Ares is usually shown as a strong, armored man, sometimes in mid-battle or holding a spear with a wild look in his eyes.

Ares vs. Mars: Greek vs. Roman God of War

Ares’ Roman version is Mars, and here’s where things get interesting.

In Greek stories, Ares is disliked, often mocked, and seen as reckless. But the Romans admired Mars, giving him a high place among their top gods. Mars was brave, strategic, and disciplined—everything Ares wasn’t.

Why the difference?

The Greeks valued wisdom and reason, while Romans valued military power and victory. So Mars became a national hero, while Ares remained a symbol of chaos.

Still, both versions remind us that war has two sides: destruction and courage.

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