Ares

Ares (Greek: Ἄρης, Árēs; Latin: Mars; Hebrew: מַרְס, Mars) is the ancient Greek god of war, violence, and courage. In Greek mythology, he is the son of Zeus and Hera, and the brother of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare. Ares represents the violent and physical aspects of battle, in contrast to Athena, who embodies military strategy and intelligence. His Roman counterpart is Mars, who was also a god of agriculture and vegetation, reflecting the Roman emphasis on both war and farming. Ares is often depicted as a fierce and impulsive figure, driving a chariot into battle and wielding weapons such as a spear and a shield. His presence in mythology is marked by his involvement in various conflicts, including the Trojan War, where he supports the Trojans. Despite his association with war, Ares was not widely worshipped in ancient Greece, as his aggressive nature was often seen as detrimental rather than beneficial. His name is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂eḱmō, meaning "battle" or "fight," which is also the root of the Latin word acies, meaning "battle line."