Homer's Ares: The Greek God Of War

Josh Pulford

Mrs. Granitz

English 3rd Hour

March 3, 2015

Ares: The Greek God of War

Being the most despised god that there is certainly sounds terrible, but that appears to be his intention—Ares’ aim was to be the most hated. Growing up, Ares did not get alongwell with others. In fact, this Greek god of war was blood thirsty and was destructive in battles. Oddly enough, although Ares was considered blood thirsty, he was not that skilled of a warrior in combat (Osborn 86). Ares was known as the most hated god because he did not get along with others and not one city wanted him as their patron, he was not a very skilled warrior, and he got into aninfamous fight that would soon spark the foundation of Thebes.

Early on we learn that Ares was not

Ares was described as very swift on his feet, he rode a chariot into battle, and wore a helmet on his head ("Hatzitsnidou"). However, Ares did not get along with most of mankind and other deities. Ares was relentless and fought with many, but the one battle that mattered the most was with his sisters during the Trojan War. In battle, Ares wouldnever pick a side to fight for exclusively. Instead, he preferred switching alliances (Osborn 86).Ares never picked a side because his only concern was quenching his thirst for destruction. Though Ares seemed to enjoy fighting, he was not particularly good at battle. In fact, Ares was defeated by sons of Poseidon, Otus and Ephialtes. Both of the sons put Ares into a bronze jar, trapping Ares for over a year before Hermes sent him free. Sadly, this is not the only time that Ares was bested in battle. Heracles knocked Ares unconscious four times in a single battle that eventually Ares fled. His battle skills were also put to the test when Ares met with Diomedes. Ares is stabbed by Diomedes with a spear, sending him into hiding again just outside of the city of Troy (Osborn 86). These defeats add to Ares’ title of most hated

Cadmus had encountered Apollo one day and Apollo told Cadmus to follow a cow until the cow needed rest. Cadmus was also a Greek hero, so he ready forApollo’s quest. Once the cow needed to rest, Cadmus was supposed to stop and build a city there. Later, the cow needed to lay down and rest. As the quest was stated, Cadmus needed to slay the cow once it rested. As Cadmus was doing just that, a dragon came out of a cave to kill Cadmus for his doings ("Greeka"). As the dragon was trying to kill Cadmus, the dragon was killed by Cadmus. It seemed that Cadmus' battle skills were too good for the dragon. What Cadmus did not realize was that the dragon was Ares' son. Ares was furious at Cadmus for killing his son. Ares made Cadmus serve eight years in servitude. Once the eight years was over, Cadmus fell in love with one of Ares' daughters. After serving eight years, Cadmus married the love of his life. Cadmus is also known as the founding father of Thebes now ("Greeka").Though Ares intends to punish Cadmus for the death of his son, he inadvertently creates the new love between Cadmus and his