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Ares was the bullying god of war. He was considered to be overly fond of
looting and slaughter, and cowardly besides. Son of Zeus and Hera. (He was
identified with the Roman god of war Mars, who was looked on with respect
by the Romans.) The Greeks, however, looked on Ares as a quarrelsome god
who sent war and pestilence and delighted in destruction. Aggressive and
bloodthirsty, Ares personified the brutal nature of war. He was unpopular
with both gods and humans. Among the deities associated with Ares were his
consort Aphrodite and such minor gods as his sons Deimos (Fear) and Phobos
(Rout). Although fierce and warlike, Ares was not invincible, even against
mortals. Ares was not widely worshiped by the Greeks. |