Terrible Ares - the violent god of war in the Greeks

In ancient times, each people had their own deities,on the description of which one can learn a lot about his culture, life values ​​and ideas about the world around him. Let's look at how Ares was - a skilled warrior and a formidable god of war among the ancient Greeks. Most of us only know that the second (Roman) name of this character is the Latin word "Mars", and they identify this word with aggression. However, this is not the only thing that this celestial has become famous for.

Genealogy

Being one of the twelve Olympic gods,traditionally, Ares is considered the only son of Hera and Zeus. At the same time, according to one of the Roman versions of the myth of his birth (Ovid), the god of war among the Greeks was conceived in parthenogenetic way, without the participation of Zeus. The reason for his birth was the touch of Hera to the magic flower, which had the ability to give fertility to absolutely all living, including sterile, creatures. As a child, the god of the Greek war nearly perished at the hands of the twin giants Aload, who, according to Hesiod, were the sons of Poseidon. They chained Ares in chains and put them in a bronze vessel. Not having time to become famous yet, the god of war among the Greeks managed to stay in such imprisonment for thirteen months and probably would part with life, if Hermes did not recognize Hermes about this from the stepmother. When he freed Ares, the latter was hardly alive from the suffering. Subsequently, the young god of war falls on education for the deity-monster Priapus. The latter first teaches his pupil the art of dance, and then to military affairs.

God of war is with the Greeks. Character

Ancient Greek mythology suggests thatThis character was a real "man" of action. Being the embodiment of aggressiveness, Ares at the same time embodies the male power, readiness for action and assertiveness. God of dispute and war, a stormy and tireless lover, he literally blossoms in conflict and enjoys the joy of battle.

Attitude to Ares

Zeus did not spoil his son's love. Terrible Thunderer even claimed that among all the Olympic celestials Ares for him is the most hated. This is the fact that the god of war was not held in high esteem by the Greeks. The ancient Greeks were clearly disgusted by his recklessness, bloodthirstiness and the inclination to lose his head in the heat of battle. This is reflected in the Greek myths, where, despite the ferocity of Ares, he is not always accompanied by victory.

Quite often, the god of war yields in battle to the warlike Athena-Pallas, who defeats him with his wisdom and calm consciousness of his own strength.

At the same time, the Romans Mars was the second inmeaning after Jupiter (the Latin name of Zeus). For them, on the contrary, he was the defender and the father of the founders of Rome, the legendary twins Romulus and Remus. Thus, the attitude toward Ares was very controversial with some predominance of negative connotation. On the one hand, especially if you counterpose it to rational Athena, this is a mad assassin, and on the other - a brave god who always stands up for his children and friends, a hero who neglects danger, a passionate lover who is also an excellent dancer. Now, when the archetype of Ares in the male psyche is often suppressed, it is appropriate to recall the boy, sealed in a bronze vessel. This episode is symbolic, since it shows what the suppression of the unmanifested facets of personality can lead to, how important to the person all the events that occur to him in childhood.

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