🏛️Greek and Roman Myths Unit 6 – Olympians: Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes

Key Figures and Their Roles

• Ares, the Greek god of war, known for his violent and impulsive nature
  • Represents the brutal and chaotic aspects of warfare
  • Often depicted as a formidable warrior clad in armor and wielding weapons (spear, shield)
• Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, beauty, and desire
  • Embodies the power of attraction and the allure of physical beauty
  • Influences the emotions and passions of both mortals and immortals
• Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire, metalworking, and craftsmanship
  • Skilled artisan who forges magnificent weapons and objects for the gods
  • Creates intricate and ingenious devices in his workshop on Mount Olympus
• Hermes, the Greek god of commerce, thieves, and travelers
  • Serves as the messenger of the gods, delivering messages between the divine and mortal realms
  • Guides souls to the underworld and is associated with cunning and trickery

Origins and Family Connections

• Ares is the son of Zeus, the king of the gods, and Hera, the queen of the gods
  • His siblings include Athena, Apollo, and Artemis, among others
• Aphrodite's birth is shrouded in mystery, with multiple accounts of her origins
  • In one version, she is born from the foam of the sea after Uranus's genitals are cast into the water
  • In another, she is the daughter of Zeus and Dione, an ancient goddess
• Hephaestus is the son of Hera, who gave birth to him independently as revenge against Zeus's infidelity
  • He is often portrayed as being cast out of Olympus by Hera due to his physical deformity
• Hermes is the son of Zeus and the nymph Maia
  • He is born in a cave on Mount Cyllene and displays his cunning and inventiveness from a young age

Myths and Legends

• Ares is involved in numerous battles and conflicts throughout Greek mythology
  • He fights alongside the Trojans in the Trojan War, facing off against the Greek hero Diomedes
  • Ares is caught in an affair with Aphrodite, leading to their humiliation when exposed by Hephaestus
• Aphrodite plays a central role in the judgment of Paris, which sparks the Trojan War
  • She promises Paris the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Troy, in exchange for being chosen as the fairest goddess
• Hephaestus crafts many remarkable items, including the armor of Achilles and the golden throne of Hera
  • He creates an unbreakable net to catch Aphrodite and Ares in the act of adultery, exposing their affair to the gods
• Hermes is known for his clever tricks and mischievous nature
  • As a newborn, he steals Apollo's cattle and invents the lyre to appease the angry god
  • He guides the hero Odysseus on his journey home and helps him outwit the sorceress Circe

Symbols and Attributes

• Ares is associated with weapons of war, such as the spear and shield
  • He is often accompanied by his sons, Phobos (fear) and Deimos (terror), and his sister, Enyo (goddess of war)
• Aphrodite's symbols include the dove, the sparrow, and the myrtle plant
  • She is frequently depicted with a mirror, symbolizing her beauty and vanity
  • The girdle of Aphrodite is said to have the power to make anyone fall in love with the wearer
• Hephaestus is represented by the tools of his trade, including the hammer, anvil, and tongs
  • He is often shown with a crutch or walking stick due to his lameness
• Hermes is identified by his winged sandals, which allow him to move swiftly between realms
  • He carries a caduceus, a staff with two intertwined snakes, which becomes a symbol of commerce and negotiation
  • The petasos, a wide-brimmed hat, is another attribute of Hermes, providing protection during his travels

Worship and Cult Practices

• Ares has few major cult centers, with the most notable being in Sparta, where he is honored as a patron of the city
  • Sacrifices, including dogs and humans, are made to Ares before battles to seek his favor
• Aphrodite is widely worshipped throughout the Greek world, with major cult centers in Paphos, Cythera, and Corinth
  • Her festivals, such as the Aphrodisia, involve offerings of incense, flowers, and sacrifices of doves and sparrows
  • Sacred prostitution is practiced in some of her temples as a form of religious devotion
• Hephaestus is worshipped by craftsmen, artisans, and metalworkers
  • His main cult center is in Athens, where the festival of Chalceia honors him and Athena as patrons of crafts
• Hermes is honored by travelers, merchants, and athletes
  • Stone pillars called herms, featuring a bust of Hermes and an erect phallus, are placed at crossroads and boundaries as markers of his protection
  • The festival of Hermaea includes athletic contests and sacrifices of lambs or goats

Relationships and Conflicts

• Ares has a tumultuous relationship with Aphrodite, engaging in a passionate affair despite her marriage to Hephaestus
  • Their love is exposed by Hephaestus, who catches them in a net and invites the gods to mock them
• Aphrodite is married to Hephaestus, but their union is often portrayed as unhappy due to her infidelity
  • She has many lovers, both divine and mortal, including Ares, Adonis, and Anchises
• Hephaestus is thrown from Olympus by his mother Hera, leading to his resentment and bitterness towards the other gods
  • He seeks revenge by crafting a golden throne that traps Hera when she sits on it, forcing the gods to reconcile with him
• Hermes, as a messenger and guide, often mediates conflicts and facilitates communication between the gods
  • He helps Hephaestus catch Aphrodite and Ares in the act of adultery
  • Hermes also assists Zeus in his various affairs and schemes, acting as a trusted confidant and accomplice

Cultural Impact and Interpretations

• Ares represents the destructive and uncontrollable aspects of war, in contrast to Athena's strategic and disciplined approach
  • His influence is seen in the valorization of martial prowess and the glorification of battle in Greek culture
• Aphrodite embodies the power of love and desire, both as a creative and destructive force
  • Her myths explore themes of passion, jealousy, and the consequences of unbridled emotion
  • She is often depicted in art as a symbol of ideal beauty and sensuality
• Hephaestus represents the transformative power of fire and the skill of human craftsmanship
  • His myths highlight the importance of artisanship and the value placed on well-crafted objects in Greek society
  • He is seen as a symbol of perseverance and the ability to overcome physical limitations
• Hermes embodies the ideals of cunning, adaptability, and the ability to navigate between different realms
  • His myths emphasize the importance of intelligence, resourcefulness, and the power of communication
  • He is associated with the concept of liminality, representing transitions and boundaries in both physical and metaphorical sense

Comparative Analysis

• Ares shares similarities with other war deities, such as the Babylonian god Nergal and the Norse god Tyr
  • However, he is often portrayed in a more negative light compared to other war gods, emphasizing the brutal and chaotic nature of conflict
• Aphrodite's attributes and myths parallel those of other love goddesses, such as the Mesopotamian Ishtar and the Norse Freyja
  • Her association with sexuality and fertility is a common theme among love deities across different cultures
• Hephaestus's role as a divine craftsman is similar to that of other gods, such as the Egyptian Ptah and the Hindu Vishvakarman
  • The idea of a god creating the world or shaping the divine realm through craftsmanship is found in many mythologies
• Hermes's function as a messenger and guide is comparable to other deities, such as the Mesopotamian Ninshubur and the Egyptian Thoth
  • The concept of a divine intermediary who facilitates communication and travel between realms is a recurring motif in various mythological traditions