Digital Maps of the Ancient World

Ares

Ares, the formidable deity of war, embodied the raw power of conflict, the fervor of battle lust, and the noble virtues of courage and order. In the annals of ancient Greek art, his visage was often captured in two distinct forms, each reflecting facets of his martial prowess and divine nature.

Residence: Mount Olympus
Symbols: Sword, spear, shield, helmet, chariot, flaming torch, dog, boar and vulture
Parents: Zeus and Hera
Siblings: Aeacus, Angelos, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis, Athena, Dionysus, Ilithyia, Enyo, Eris, Ersa, Hebe, Helen of Troy, Hephaestus, Heracles, Hermes, Minos, Pandia, Persephone, Perseus, Rhadamanthus, the Graces, the Horae, the Litae, the Muses and the Moirae
Consort: Aphrodite
Children: Erotes (Eros and Anterus), Phobus, Deimus, Phlegyas, Harmonia, Enyalius, Thrax, Oenomaus, Amazons and Adrestia
Roman equivalent: Mars

In one portrayal, Ares emerged as a mature, bearded warrior, his countenance marked by the stern resolve of one seasoned in the crucible of combat. Clad in the armor of war and armed for the fray, he stood as a formidable presence, a guardian of martial honor and discipline.

Alternatively, Ares was depicted as a youthful figure, his form devoid of the trappings of age and experience, yet no less potent in his martial prowess. Unencumbered by the weight of armor, he stood resolute, his gaze fixed upon the horizon, helm and spear in hand, embodying the essence of youthful vigor and martial fervor.

Foundation of Thebes

Ares’ influence in ancient Greek mythology extended beyond the battlefield, manifesting in foundational tales that shaped the destiny of cities and civilizations. In the founding myth of Thebes, Ares played a pivotal role as the progenitor of a fearsome water-dragon, whose demise marked the genesis of the city’s storied lineage.

Cadmus, the intrepid hero tasked with slaying the water-dragon, embarked on a perilous quest to fulfill his destiny. Upon vanquishing the beast, Cadmus sowed its teeth into the fertile earth, unwittingly giving rise to a host of fully armored warriors known as the Spartoi.

These warriors, born from the earth like a bountiful crop, embodied the fierce spirit of Ares and stood as a testament to his martial legacy. To honor and appease the war god, Cadmus took Harmonia, a daughter born of Ares’ union with Aphrodite, as his bride.

In this union, Cadmus forged a harmonious bond that transcended the strife of the past, bringing peace and unity to Thebes. Thus, through the divine lineage of Ares and the union of Cadmus and Harmonia, the foundation of Thebes was laid, heralding a new era of prosperity and civilization.

Ares and Aphrodite

The tale of Ares and Aphrodite’s clandestine affair, discovered by the vigilant Helius and ultimately exposed by the cunning Hephaestus, reveals the complexities of divine relationships in Greek mythology.

Upon discovering Ares and Aphrodite’s secret liaison, Helius, the ever-watchful sun god, wasted no time in informing Hephaestus, Aphrodite’s husband. Seething with anger and betrayal, Hephaestus devised a clever trap to ensnare the illicit lovers. Crafted with meticulous care, he fashioned an invisible net, ready to be sprung at the opportune moment.

When the trap was sprung, Ares and Aphrodite found themselves entangled in the net, their private moment exposed for all the divine realm to witness. Despite the goddesses’ reluctance, the male gods gathered to behold the spectacle, offering remarks both jestful and mocking.

Once released from their embarrassing predicament, Ares retreated to his homeland of Thrace, his pride wounded by the public humiliation. Aphrodite, on the other hand, sought solace in Paphos, perhaps reflecting on the consequences of her actions and the fragility of divine affairs.

In the aftermath of this scandalous episode, the divine hierarchy was reminded of the consequences of passion and indiscretion, serving as a cautionary tale for both mortals and immortals alike.

Art