Ares (Mars)
by Ignazio Caloggero
Ares fights Athena Jacques Louis David 1771
Reference page: Repertory of Cults and Myths
Origins of the Myth
Son of Zeus and Hera, he was considered a god of war and identified with the Roman Mars. He is often represented in cuirass, helmet and armed with shield, spear and sword. Of enormous stature, Ares is distinguished by his violent and bloodthirsty character; he is often seen on a chariot, accompanied by some demons who serve as squires: Deimus (fear) e Phobos (the terror), who are his children, ed Eris (the discord).
Ares is often found in contrast with Athena, also goddess of war but who, unlike the god's bloodthirsty brutality, instead embodies heroism and tactical intelligence; it is no coincidence that it is Athena who, on more than one occasion, manages to beat Ares.
The cult of Ares probably originated in Thrace from where it spread to the rest of Greece; however, it did not become very popular, probably opposed by the female cult of Athena.
The testimonies of the cult of Ares in Sicily confirm that it was not very widespread. It is an exception Messina where the cult was imported by Mamertine mercenaries, who boasted their ancestry from Mars who in their language, Osco-Umbrian, called Mamerte.
Extract from the Book ” Cults of Ancient Sicily” by Ignazio Caloggero ISBN: 9788832060102 © 2022 Centro Studi Helios srl
