Ares
	"Mars Disarmed by Venus and the Graces," by Jacques-Louis David, 1824.

Ares is the God of War and Conflict. He is a relatively simple God in Greek mythology as his preoccupations include mainly war and sex. His parents, Zeus and Hera, detested him for his meddling according to Homer.

Wars were a primary interest of Ares. He intervened on the side of the Trojans in the war against the Achaeans, whom he had double-crossed. He also intervened for the Pylians in another conflict. He was wounded in both battles. His sons Phobos (Fear) and Deimos (Terror) followed him in every battle. These are said by some to be personifications of these two emotions rather than actual warriors. Neither is the principle subject of any legend.

An important facet of Ares' story is his ongoing affair with the Goddess Aphrodite, despite her marriage to Hephaestus. The Goddess of love was a regular consort to Ares. He fathered three children by her: Phobos, Deimos and Harmonia. It is said that one day the God of the Sun (Helios), who sees and knows almost all, embarassed the lovers by trapping them in a net during a romantic moment and putting them on display before all the Olympians. Ares also had other lovers including Cyrene, Eos, Pyrene and Sterope.

In Roman mythology, Ares is referred to as Mars.

Genealogy: Ares is the son of Zeus and Hera. His primary consort was Aphrodite. By her he had at least three children including Deimos, Phobos and Harmonia.

Symbols: The torch, the spear and the vulture.