Ares ( Άρης) is the Greek God of war. He is the son of Zeus and Hera. In Greek literature, He often represents the physical or violent and untamed aspect of war, in contrast to his sister, the armored Athena, whose traits as a Goddess of intelligence include military strategy and generalship.
The ancient Greeks were ambivalent toward Ares: although he embodies the physical valor necessary for success in war, he is a dangerous force, "overwhelming, insatiable in battle, destructive, and man-slaughtering." His sons Phobos (Fear) and Deimos (Terror) and his lover, or sister, Enyo (Discord) accompany him on his war chariot. An association with Ares endows places and objects with a savage, dangerous, or militarized quality.
In Sparta, Ares was viewed as a model soldier: His resilience, physical strength, and military intelligence were unrivaled. An ancient statue, representing the God in chains, suggests that the martial spirit and victory were to be kept in the city of Sparta. The fact that the Spartans admired Him is indicative of the cultural divisions that existed between themselves and other Greeks, especially the Athenians .
In the Iliad, Homer represented Ares as having no fixed allegiances, rewarding courage on both sides. During the war, Diomedes fought with Hector and saw Ares fighting on the Trojans' side. Diomedes called for his soldiers to fall back slowly.
Athena, Ares's sister, saw his interference and asked Zeus, Their father, for permission to drive Ares away from the battlefield, which Zeus granted . Hera and Athena encouraged Diomedes to attack Ares. Diomedes thrust with his spear at Ares, with Athena driving it home, and Ares's cries made Achaeans and Trojans alike tremble. Ares fled to Mt. Olympus, forcing the Trojans to fall back.
When Hera mentioned to Zeus that Ares's son, Ascalaphus, was killed, Ares overheard and wanted to join the fight on the side of the Achaeans, disregarding Zeus's order that no Olympic god should enter the battle, but Athena stopped Him. Later, when Zeus allowed the Gods to fight in the war again, Ares was the first to act, attacking Athena to avenge Himself for His previous injury. Athena overpowered Him by striking Ares with a boulder.
Ares is also well known as the lover of Aphrodite, the Goddess of love, who was married to Hephaestus, God of craftsmanship. The union of Ares and Aphrodite created the Gods Eros, Anteros, Phobos, Deimos, Harmonia, and Adrestia.
SOURCE: Wikipedia
