The Mythology Of Ares Explained

Among the seemingly countless number of Greek gods and goddesses, Ares is fairly well-known. The son of Zeus and Hera, he's the god of courage and war, and is generally regarded as a brutal and bloodthirsty conquerer. You’d think that given his title, Ares would be one of the most badass Olympians to have ever existed, but that isn’t really the case.
Thanks to modern movies, people today have a good idea of who Ares is, at least by name. But he doesn’t actually show up that much in Greek mythology, and his appearances aren’t exactly flattering. Here’s the mythology of Ares explained.

#Greek #God #Ares

No one really liked him | 0:00
A strange family | 1:35
More than war | 2:34
Ares and Aphrodite | 3:36
Ares v. Athena | 4:49
Father of the Amazons | 5:51
All about the sacrifices | 6:58
Ares v. Mars | 8:00
Ares and the planet | 9:13

[GrungeHQ]

Which Greek gods and goddesses do you like the most?

[littlebaldedone]

Fun fact: Ares once killed a son of Poseidon for trying to sexually assault one of his daughter, Poseidon was pissed and called him to court on the very stop were his son was killed, but all the other gods acquitted Ares.

[ooffilipinopatriot]

you know that most of these myths are Athenian poetry right. If the Spartan side of myths were to be uncovered it would've been much much more different story. Heck one time he even overthrew the Greek pantheon, and let humanity live without the middling of gods.

Ares in mythology in Sparta at least was an advocate for women's rights since Sparta was a matriarchal society where women rule Sparta while the men go to war. He was the literal embodiment of war. The bloodshed, homicide, etc. He was the embodiment of what he was a god of.

[JesseKirino]

It is sad that there is always such shallow depiction of Ares. He was a good father that cared for his children, unlike Zeus. When Harmonia was born he is described to throw away his armor, put on flowers and dancing in the fields.

Also, in the Trojan war, he wasn't with the Greeks to begin with. He had promised Zeus that he would remain neutral, but joined the Trojans after Aphrodite's pleading.

He also had some glorious victories as described in texts:

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 18. 274 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"[Ares] brought low such another [giant], Ekhidna's son, the gods' enemy, spitting the horrible poison of hideous Ekhidna [the serpent-Nymphe]. He had two shapes together, and in the forest he shook the twisting coils of his mother's spine. Kronos used this huge creature to confront the thunderbolt [of Zeus], hissing war with the snaky soles of his feet; when he realised his hands above the circle of the breast and fought against your Zeus, and lifting his high head, covered it with masses of cloud in the paths of the sky. Then if the birds came wandering into his tangled hair, he often swept them together into his capacious throat for a dinner. This masterpiece your brother Ares killed."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 20. 35 ff :
"Ares, destroyer of the Titanes, his father's champion, who lifts a proud neck in heaven, still holding that shield ever soaked with gore."

Ares fought with the other gods in a War against the Gigantes (serpent-footed giants), and slew the Gigante Mimas. In ancient Greek vase painting the Gigante opponent of Ares is named Mimon.

Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3. 1227 ff (trans. Rieu) (Greek epic C3rd B.C.) :
"Aeetes [King of Kolkhis] put on his breast the stiff cuirass which Ares had given him after slaying Mimas with his own hands in the field of Phlegra."

[dimitriosgiorgi]

Fun fact: during the war between Zeus and Cronos, Ares killed an unnamed son of Cronos who was described as "spitting horrible poison" and having snakey feet.

[thalmoragent]

3:22 Makes Ares sound like a typical player character, just slaughters random NPC's walking by if they feel like it.

[kereonthemad]

If you think about it the people he was losing to were literally some of the strongest people like a another God of War, the strongest Heroes to ever live and 2 Giants who believe they could walk up to Olympus capturing gods.

[superfreakmorris]

Boy your arms are getting big... Looking good.. Nice video too

[RTWT]

In the end Ares became stronger than Zeus and destroyed the connection between gods and humans

[christophermallory]

Augustus built the temple of mars after he won the war. Any wars & the doors of mars was flung open. No war they closed the doors.

[alexgabriel]

Commendable treatment of Ares God of War. Worthy! The important details on the Thraco-Scythian origin are given well. The link to Hephaistos is also present. Very well done presentation.

[scharletmoller]

Sadly, some facts about Ares were left out during the video. While he was depicted as the bloody, rageful, and ugly side of war it wasn't just all that. He is also the god of courage which was a major factor why he was worshipped in Sparta. He wasn't about strategy and careful moves, but he was about taking action and not fearing battle. Ares was also the only Olympian god who never raped someone plus his relationship with Aphrodite wasn't just a mingling affair. She was in many cities where he was worshipped, seen as his actual consort (yes, while she is still married to Hephaistos) and that's why he never married. He was deeply in love with her

[JohnRoberts-yc]

Yeah..Ares was hated but needed when push came to shove! He was only hated by the Athenians because their name sake was his sister Athena. The Spartans on the other hand loved and revered him.

[KheKheGanja]

We need a series on ares. The guy is full of drama lol

[potatogaming]

He is the god of war, violence and bloodlust, actually kinda of a wimp.

And was kidnapped once

[Qleverett]

When ppl understand that religion is all a reiteration of the same thing. The Egyptians based there’s on a family and astrology, Greek make them gods with specific natures etc etc it’s unifying

[ДуаТер]

Ares God of devotion and patience. Арес Бог преданности и терпения.

[alexgabriel]

Ares worshipped by Thracians...maybe Arieş, connected to Baia or mine> Baia de Arieş in Romania or N Thrace[S Thrace> Bulgaria]. Arieş father of Amazons, Pentesilea Thracian woman in the Iliad[maybe Bendesyla in Thracian]. Adrienne Mayor s book The Amazons treats extensively the subject.

[giggsi]

Well I actually don't care what history and Homer says. Ares > Athena :D

[bradley]

How is Ares the God of War and he loses all of his fights, whoever wrote his story really makes him look weak 😂