known that many ancient peoples had their own beliefs, which today is called paganism.The mythology of the ancient Greeks is particularly interesting legends and a great variety of characters - the Titans, immortal gods, nymphs and muses.Each of them has its own place, it has a unique character and its purpose.An important place in the mythology takes Ares, god of war - it is one of the twelve major gods of Olympus.
Origin god
accepted that Ares is the only son of Zeus and Hera.In addition, Roman mythology, there is a version, according to which Ares born hero of their own, without the involvement of Zeus - the conception was due to touch the magic flower, confers fertility.It is known that so Hephaestus was born.
There is another, less common version of his name - Arey, or Areyon.
Features
Greek god Ares was not the only patron of war - his sister Pallas Athena personified the war on honest and fair.Ares was also bloodthirsty, reckless, always eager to fight, despite the fact that Olympic athletes were forbidden to directly interfere in the affairs of men, and participate in battles.He preferred to war for the sake of war, and are often influenced by emotions could get on someone's side and fight, destroying everything in its path.
Ares - God of bloody and brutal war.For other areas of life, he is characterized as aggressive, quick-tempered and impulsive, committing rash acts, for which he was not like the rest of the inhabitants of Mount Olympus.Athena even sensible Ares despises for his violent temper and constantly tries to teach.God also does not like his father - Zeus.However, the Olympic team to be reckoned with Ares just because of his noble birth.
But Ares has good qualities - a loyalty and dedication, a willingness to stand up for their loved ones and to protect those whom he favors.It is worth noting that not all the gods of Olympus boast these qualities.
lover and the father of
Despite how cruel and insidious is Ares, god does not remain indifferent to the legendary beauty of Aphrodite.She was the wife of Hephaestus, but believed that it was Ares she had the strong and passionate love.Union War and Love was quite strong.Although among the gods of Olympus often had a love relationship, so that at times did not even tell who was a lover and someone, ties Ares and Aphrodite can rightly be called one of the most robust and durable.
As a result of this love from the gods born children: sons Phobos (terror) and Deimos (fear), who accompanied his father on the battlefield.And the name of their daughter - Harmony - symbolizes the teamwork relationship opposing Ares and Aphrodite.God of love Eros (Eros or Cupid), and opposite him Anteros also believe their descendants, but this is not the only version on their origin.
have been the god of war and other descendants of at least three of them participated in the campaign for the Golden Fleece, and one of his daughters was the queen of the Amazons.Many of his children inherited traits that distinguish Ares.God is very attached to their children and, if necessary, was always ready to stand up for them.
Myths about Ares
Ancient Greek mythology abounds with endless array of legends and tales.In fact, there are so many that sometimes some of the myths may contradict each other.Ares, God of Ancient Greece is no exception, and he, too, has its own history.
a child, Ares had a chance to spend thirteen months in chains and enclosed in a bronze vessel - so over it "played a joke" twin giants aloadae From and Ephialtes.Later giants stepmother told about Hermes, who saved the little Ares and stopped his torment.
Originally Ares studied the art of dance from Priapus, whom God entrusted the education of his young mother of Hera.And only after that the next God of War began to learn the basics of military affairs.
Another myth about the god Ares tells the story of those episodes, when he was a lover of Aphrodite.The husband of the goddess, Hephaestus found out about treason wife, wanted to expose the lovers and bring them in the act.To do this, he created a strong and invisible network, which secured over the bed of his wife, and then pretended to go about their business.Ares did not take long, and after some time had reclined with Aphrodite, not knowing that the trap that has prepared for them Hephaestus.When the lovers realize that they are in a trap, lawful spouse called the Olympian gods, that they witnessed this betrayal, but in the end nothing came of it - celestials only laughed caught lovers.
symbols and attributes of God of War
Hand in hand with Ares followed by his companion - Enio bloodthirsty goddess of discord and Eris.Well, how to fight without a horse?In the patron saint of the war, there were as many as four, and named them accordingly - Gloss, Flame, Fear, and the noise.However, the symbol of the god Ares - is the war itself, its destruction, sacrifice and all that is connected with it.His attributes were largely spear and torch, as well as the fierce dog and kite that tormented soldiers who died in battle.
Ares usually depicted as a strong and energetic man.He may have a beard, and perhaps without it, but it must have the attributes of a warrior: a helmet, a shield and a sword or a spear.Sometimes it put on armor or metal bib.It is a huge, blood-stained destroyer of people, to destroy the city - this seemed to the ancient Greeks, Ares, god of war.
Drinking Ares
In ancient Greece, Ares largely negative attitude, not loved and feared him.This is reflected in the poems of Homer, describing, for example, the Trojan War, which was attended by the god of war.Bloodthirsty madcap, rushing from side to side - this is the description of God in the Iliad.Ares and boastful short-tempered, and when defeated, he even peculiar complaints and whining.It happened, when Athens once again gave his brother some inconvenience by giving a hand of Diomedes, which helped him to hurt an immortal god and strong spear.But Zeus did not heed the complaints of his son and only further humiliated him by saying that he was disgusting to him in connection with a penchant Ares to fight and massacre.
However, bad attitude to the god of war, not only Zeus the Thunderer, not to mention the constant confrontation between Ares and Pallas Athena.The ancient Greeks loved rationality and prudence, and Ares just still lacked these qualities.However, even in Homer found positive epithets against the god of war - in the "Hymn to Ares" is spoken of as a father of victory, supporters of justice, courage sample.
In Roman mythology
If the Greeks do not particularly revered Ares, the Romans, on the other hand, belonged to the god of war with great respect.The Roman tradition of Mars called Ares, and he held an important place in the pantheon of gods - it was just above Jupiter (Zeus).Mars is the patron saint of the people and the state, and is the father of Romulus and Remus, the brothers who founded Rome.
Sculptures
In ancient Greece, Ares was not very popular, so in our time not much is known of his sculptures.The most significant statues of antiquity considered "Ares Borghese" and "Ares Ludovisi," which are actually Roman copies.
The Louvre today is one of those monuments which depicts the god Ares, presented his photo above.
