Ares: the Greek God
This essay about Ares, the Greek god of war, discusses his symbolism and how it reflects his attributes and the nature of war. Ares’ primary symbols include the spear, symbolizing his aggressive approach to conflict; the Corinthian helmet, reflecting the facelessness and depersonalization of soldiers in war; the vulture, representing the aftermath and destructive consequences of conflict; and his chariot, drawn by fire-breathing horses, which emphasizes the swift and relentless nature of warfare. These symbols contrast with other war deities like Athena, who represents strategic and reasoned aspects of warfare. Through an exploration of these symbols, the essay portrays Ares not just as a deity of battle but as a representation of the brutal, chaotic, and often senseless side of war, offering insight into the ancient Greeks’ perceptions of war’s inevitable devastation and tragic reality.
How it works
Ares, the Hellenic god of warfare, embodies the corporeal aggression and tempestuous essence of conflict. Unlike his Roman counterpart Mars, who also embodies agricultural stewardship and paternal figures, Ares epitomizes the savage, chaotic, and frequently nonsensical aspect of war. This depiction reverberates through the emblems linked to him, each reinforcing his ferocious and intimidating nature in Hellenic folklore.
A primary symbol associated with Ares is the lance, a tool of warfare that mirrors his direct approach to conflict. The lance transcends mere weaponry, embodying the aggressive essence of warfare and underscoring Ares’ role as a deity who not only engages in battles but actively instigates them.
This stands in stark contrast to Athena, goddess of strategic warfare, who embodies a more calculated and reasoned strategy, often portrayed with defensive armor such as the aegis. Ares’ lance accentuates his impulsive aggression, rendering him a deity less cerebral and more instinctual.
Another notable symbol linked with Ares is the helmet, specifically the Corinthian helmet. Encompassing the entire cranium except for the eyes and mouth, this helmet signifies not only protection in battle but also the anonymity of war. The anonymity afforded by the helmet reflects the dehumanization of soldiers in combat, relegating the individual to a mere pawn in a larger, often indiscriminate, melee. This epitomizes Ares’ perspective of war as a collective chaos rather than a sequence of individual acts of heroism.
The vulture, an often overlooked symbol of Ares, represents the aftermath of warfare. Vultures, scavengers thriving on death and decay, symbolize the ruinous consequences of war. The presence of vultures circling a battlefield signifies not just death but also the enduring impact of conflict on the environment and the human psyche. This somber connection serves as a reminder of the grim realities of war, devoid of its pomp and heroism, a viewpoint that Ares fully embodies.
Furthermore, Ares’ chariot, frequently depicted in ancient artworks pulled by four fire-breathing steeds, epitomizes the swift and annihilative force of war. The chariot’s aggressive and unstoppable momentum mirrors Ares’ own demeanor on the battlefield—unyielding, fearsome, and ceaselessly mobile. This unrelenting propulsion into conflict highlights his insatiable thirst for war and devastation.
In summary, the symbols associated with Ares—the lance, helmet, vulture, and chariot—each narrate facets of his dominion over war. They illuminate the harsh realities of conflict and the carnage it leaves behind, emphasizing Ares’ aggressive and destructive essence. Unlike other war-associated deities, Ares does not embody protection or triumphant heroism but rather unrelenting aggression and inevitable ruin. These symbols offer insight into the ancient Hellenic comprehension of war’s duality: an inescapable facet of human existence with profoundly tragic consequences. Through Ares, Hellenic mythology delves into the darker recesses of human nature and the intricate, often conflicting emotions surrounding warfare.
Ares: The Greek God. (2024, Apr 29). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/ares-the-greek-god/
