Ares is the God of war. Ares is portrayed as a simple warrior with swift feet. Usually he is depicted riding a chariot and wearing a helmet on his head. In his hands he holds a shield, a sword, or a spear. Ares’ symbols include the spear and the helmet. Even though he is the son of Zeus and Hera, he never enjoyed a prominent spot as other deities due to him being involved in warfare. None of the Greek cities are named after Ares because of his unlikable nature. Ares also has very few temples dedicated to his name.

One unknown myth about Ares talks about Hera giving birth to Ares without Zeus and by consuming a magical flower.  Some of Ares’ children included Phobos, Deimos, Eros, and Harmonia. Ares was madly in love with Aphrodite. It is said that Ares’s throne on Mount Olympus where he lived was covered in skin. The month of March is dedicated to Ares. According to Greek mythology, when Ares was a baby he was kidnapped by giants and kept in a bronze jar. He was rescued by Hermes.

During the Trojan War, it is said that Ares took the side of the Trojans, who kidnapped a Greek queen. In the end, they lost the battle as his sister Athena helped the Greek warriors defeat the Trojans by giving them the wisdom to develop a strategy and take over Troy.  

There is also a very famous legend of Ares and his war with Hercules- a demigod who was the son of Zeus. In one war where Hercules was protecting pilgrims, Ares’ son was killed and hence as an angry father would react, Ares challenged Hercules to a war and attacked him with his spear. It was because of Athena that the spear direction changed ad Hercules was saved. Ares then took his sword to attack Hercules, but the swift and agile Hercules put his spear in Ares’ thighs and attacked him. The injured Ares was then rescued and taken away from Hercules by his sons.