He was always thirsty for blood and his main feature was the irrational rage and the lack of any courtesy.Īres belongs to the second generation of Olympians.
So the Greeks coined a god, Ares, who personified this terrible scourge. The ancient Greek mythology is dominated by two major combat operations: the ten-year Trojan War and the Argonaut’s campaign. Since ancient times the people, in order to solve their differences resorted to the most painful act for humans, war. In Greek literature, he often represents the physical or violent and untamed aspect of war, in contrast to the armored Athena, whose functions as a goddess of intelligence include military strategy and generalship. He is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. Her main symbols are snakes, owls, and olive trees.Ares (Mars) Greek God - Art Picture by GenzoManĪres (Roman equivalent is Mars) was the Greek god of war. She is believed to have been a virgin and had no biological children of her own. Some myths say that her parents were Zeus and Metis, while others say that she came out of her father’s head. Image Source: Īthena is the goddess of war, wisdom, strategy, and handicraft. She had a number of siblings including Angelos, Apollo, Enyo, Artemis, Pandia, and Aphrodite, amongst many others. In one archaic Attic myth, it is said that Hephaestus tried to rape Athena but failed.Īthena’s abode was mount Olympus. She was known to be a virgin and hence was called Athena Parthenos. In the Athens Founding myth, she overcame Poseidon in the city’s patronage competition by creating the first olive tree. This took place in midsummer and was the main Athenian calendar festival. Her main festival was the Panathenaia, that was celebrated during Hekatombanion month. Since she is a warrior goddess, she was believed to lead soldiers into battle and was called Athena Promachos. It is from this origin that she was considered to be the patron of Athens. She was also called Poliouchos and Polias which is derived from polis to mean ‘city-state’. Given her Aegean origin, Athena was called a palace goddess.
She, however, adopted a son called Erichthonius of Athens. It is believed that Athena did not have any biological children. In the Odyssey, she is Odysseus’ divine counselor. In the Iliad, she plays an active role in assisting Achaeans. Other myths believe that Athena’s parents are Metis and Zeus. Since she was the patron of weaving and craft, she was called Ergane. She is believed to be of Aegean origin, hence the reason why she is connected to the city of Athens. Her main symbols are olive trees, owls, the Gorgoneion, and snakes. You may have seen her in art pieces where she is portrayed holding a spear and wearing a helmet. In fact, it is said that she derived her name from the city of Athens. It is believed this breastplate was given to Athena by her father Zeus.Īthena was considered to be the patron and protector of a number of cities including Athens. She is often portrayed wearing a breastplate called Aegis which is made out of goatskin. In Greek mythology, it is believed that she was always in the company of the goddess of victory, Nike, and her owl. Athena, also known as Athene, is the ancient Greek goddess of war, wisdom, strategy, and handicraft.