Ares/Mars

Ares was the son of Zeus and Hera.  His father was king, his mother was queen, and Ares was vain and self-centered. He was tall, handsome, and just plain mean. His sidekick, Eris, the spirit of disagreement, traveled with him. They carried four spirits - Pain, Panic, Famine, and Oblivion. 

Neither of his parents were very fond of Ares. It was difficult to like Ares. In Greek mythology, Ares did not care who won or lost a battle. He just liked to see bloodshed.  Most of the other gods stayed as far away from Ares as possible. He only caused trouble.

When the ancient Romans first heard the many Greek myths about the war god Ares, they thought Ares was terrific!  As they did with nearly all the Greek deities and the myths that went with them, the ancient Romans pretended that Ares had always been a Roman god. They renamed him Mars, the god of war. 

Ares, the unpopular god of war 

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