The Gods of War, Ares and Athena, both share the same father in Zeus. Although they are both Gods of War their perception through Greek Mythology is vastly different. Ares is portrayed as brutal and strong whereas Athena is portrayed as wily and cunning. In ancient Greek culture, Women were second-class citizens to the men and this is translated to the Gods. No better way to see this is than between Ares and Athena, where the conquering, strong God of war, battle lust, courage and civil order is compared to the Goddess of war wisdom, good counsel, weaving, pottery and various other crafts. The similarities and differences between these Gods show the roots of the Ancient Greek culture and is important in showing the gendered classes. Ares and …show more content…
“Shed down a kindly ray from above upon my life, and strength of war, that I may be able to drive away bitter cowardice from my head and crush down the deceitful impulses of my soul. Restrain also the keen fury of my heart which provokes me to tread the ways of blood-curdling strife.” These lines from the Homeric hymn to Ares describe a God they want to give them strength and bravery in battle and is what they also pray to Athena for in the Homeric hymn to Athena "Of Pallas Athena, guardian of the city, I begin to sing. Dread is she, and with Ares, she loves the deeds of war, the sack of cities and the shouting and the battle. It is she who saves the people as they go to war and come back. Hail, goddess, and give us good fortune and happiness!" These similarities in perception though the war is once again shown in Homers Iliad where in a battle-scene engraved on the shield of Achilles it shows the Gods together “And Ares led them, and Pallas Athene. These were gold, both, and golden raiment upon them, and they were beautiful and huge in their armour, being divinities, and conspicuous from afar, but the people around them were smaller." They id however a big difference notice in the