Ares God of War
God of War
The son of Zeus and Hera, Ares embodied, not just the act, but also the spirit of War.
Disliked by most Olympians but loved by Aphrodite, Ares was a god of action and determination. When he was fighting on the side of the Trojans he was wounded by Pallas Athene (Athena). She donned the helm of Death and, after deflecting his spear, hurled a bolder, knocking Ares senseless. He had to be assisted from the field of battle by Aphrodite. When Ares retreated to Mount Olympos (Olympus) his father, Zeus, said (before commanding Paieon to heal his wounded son) To me you are most hateful of all gods who hold Olympos, (Iliad, book 5, line 889).
Ares was sometimes accompanied into battle by his sister, Eris (Goddess of Discord) and Hades (Lord of the Dead). Ares was the father of Deimos (Fear) and Phobos (Terror), among others. His son Kyknos was killed by Herakles (Heracles) (Theogony, line 421) but Ares was unable to avenge the death because Zeus would not permit his least favorite son, Ares, to harm Herakles, his favorite son. Although hated and feared, Ares was honored by all great warriors, even Herakles.
Ares rode into battle on the side of the Trojans with his horses, Flame and Terror, pulling his war chariot. He swooped down to help Aphrodite defend her son Aineias (Aeneas) (Iliad, book 5, line 355) and saved him from sure death at the hands of the Achaians. While Ares protected Aineias with his shield, Aphrodite made her escape to Mount Olympos to tend her wounds.
He is most often confused with the Roman god, Mars.
Hades
Lord of the Underworld
Hades is one of the six Olympians, i.e. one of the six children of Kronos (Cronos) and Rhea. He and his two brothers divided creation into thirds and each took a portion for their own. Hades chose, as his dominion, The Underworld.
When mortals kneel before the cold hearted Hades, he metes out somber justice and no one, once there, can ever leave his domain (except, of course, Herakles (Heracles), Odysseus, Orpheus and a few others).
The Abduction of Persephone
The story of the abduction of Persephone is a touching explanation for the harshness of Winter and the sweetness of Spring. Hades was so overwhelmed by Persephone’s sweet charms that, instead of wooing her, he abducted her against her will and dragged her to The Underworld.
Hades and Zeus had plotted to abduct the young girl away in secret but their plans were foiled when Helios (the Sun) saw the evil act and told Demeter the fate of her missing child. Persephone was helpless against the wiles of Zeus and remained the unwilling captive of Hades. After several years Demeter found a way to force Zeus’ hand and free her daughter.
Demeter sat in her new home at Eleusis and cursed the earth with famine. Seeds would not grow. Plowed fields remained empty. Zeus and the other immortals were worried that this would be the end of mortal life on earth and thus, their worshipers would die. One by one, the immortals begged her to forgive and forget but Demeter was unmoved.
Zeus sent Hermes to speak gentle words to Hades and persuade him to let Persephone return to her brooding mother. Hades was sympathetic but he was also intent on keeping his bride. He tricked Persephone into eating a pomegranate seed and by doing so she was forever bound to him. Persephone returned to the world of light to see her mother but her stay was only temporary.
Demeter was joyous when Persephone came to her and roused herslf from her destructive brooding. But her joy was tempered by the trickery of Hades and the honey-sweet pomegranate seed. The only one who could change Demeter’s heart was her mother. After pleas from Rhea, Demeter lifted her curse and allowed the earth to blossom and be fruitful again.
It was decreed by Zeus that Persephone would spend two thirds of the year with her mother and the remaining third with her husband, Hades. Each year when Persephone returns from the underworld, Demeter showers the earth with gentle rain and sweet breezes. Each time Persephone returns to Hades, Demeter hardens her heart and the earth is wracked with bitter cold and harsh winds.
Hades is often confused with the Roman god, Pluto.
