Ares in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Ares

161 passages from 16 ancient authors that tell of Ares, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Ares is the god of war, and son of Zeus and Hera. He represented the raw violence and untamed acts that occured in wartime, in contrast to Athena, wh... For the story in one place, read our article on Ares.

Hesiod (8)

Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 400–480Heracles kills Cycnus and wounds Ares (400-480)Heracles drives his spear into Cycnus's neck between helmet and shield, and he falls like a lightning-struck oak. Ares attacks next, and although Athena tells him to stop, he is wounded in the thigh and cast down, and Panic and Dread carry him to Olympus. Heracles and Iolaus strip Cycnus's armour and go to Trachis, where Ceyx buries him, but Anaurus, swollen by rain at Apollo's command, washes the grave away.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 325–399Athena's counsel; Heracles meets Cycnus (325-399)Athena tells Heracles and Iolaus that Zeus gives them power to kill Cycnus and strip his armour, but that they must only wound Ares and then draw back. When the chariots meet, Heracles tells Cycnus to turn aside because he is bound for King Ceyx at Trachis, and recalls how he once wounded Ares at Pylos. Cycnus refuses, both men leap to the ground, and Zeus thunders and rains drops of blood as the fight begins.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 150–239The shield of Heracles: war, Lapiths and Centaurs, the harbour, Perseus (150-239)The shield's decoration continues with Pursuit, Flight, Tumult and Panic, deadly Fate dragging a dead man, twelve snake heads, and boars and lions glaring at one another. Other scenes show the Lapiths fighting the Centaurs, Ares in his golden chariot with Athena, the gods on Olympus where Apollo plays the lyre and the Muses sing, and a harbour with dolphins and a fisherman. Perseus, wearing the cap of Hades and carrying the Gorgon's head, flies above the shield while the Gorgons pursue him, and beyond him men fight for and against a town.
Hesiod, Theogony 930–959Poseidon, Ares, Hermes, Dionysus and Heracles (930-959)Poseidon and Amphitrite have Triton, and Aphrodite bears Panic and Fear to Ares, and Harmonia, whom Cadmus marries. Maia bears Hermes, Semele bears Dionysus and Alcmene bears Heracles, who is finally wed to Hebe and lives among the gods. Hephaestus marries Aglaea, Dionysus marries Ariadne, and Perseis bears Circe and Aeetes to Helios, with Aeetes' daughter Medea at the end.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 1–74Alcmena and the birth of Heracles; Cycnus (1-74)The poem opens with Alcmena, the beautiful and faithful daughter of Electryon, whose husband Amphitryon had come to Thebes after killing her father and could not lie with her until he had avenged her brothers on the Taphians and Teleboans. While he is away, Zeus visits her by night and Amphitryon returns the same night, so that she bears twin sons, Heracles to Zeus and Iphicles to Amphitryon. The poem then turns to Heracles' fight with Cycnus, son of Ares, whom he met in the precinct of Apollo.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 75–149Heracles and Iolaus arm for battle (75-149)Heracles tells his charioteer Iolaus how Amphitryon came to Thebes after killing Electryon over oxen, and how Iolaus's father lost his senses through Zeus and went to serve the wicked Eurystheus. He bids Iolaus drive straight at Ares, who is raging in Apollo's grove, and Iolaus answers with encouragement. Heracles then arms himself with greaves from Hephaestus, a breastplate from Athena, a quiver, a spear and a helm, and takes up the shield, which has Fear in adamant at its centre with Strife above his brow.
Hesiod, Theogony 900–929tZeus's marriages and children; the birth of Athena (900-929)Zeus marries Themis (the Hours and the Fates), Eurynome (the Graces), Demeter (Persephone), Mnemosyne (the Muses), Leto (Apollo and Artemis) and lastly Hera, whose children are Hebe, Ares and Eileithyia. Zeus bears Athena from his own head, and Hera bears Hephaestus without Zeus. The section recounts again how Zeus swallowed Metis, who conceived Athena, and how she was born by the river Trito.
Hesiod, Fragments 1.97–99Ellopia, a fierce boar and the house of AmphiarausA fragment describes the land of Ellopia, its flocks and cattle, and the oak oracle of Dodona. A longer passage describes a terrible fight in which no mortal could face a boar with gleaming tusks except Heracles. The last fragment gives the seer Amphiaraus, his wife Eriphyle and their son Alcmaeon.

Homer (38)

Homer, Iliad 5.793–909Diomedes wounds AresAthena finds Diomedes cooling the wound the arrow made, rebukes him, and takes Sthenelus' place in his car, putting on the helm of Hades. They go against Ares, who is stripping the body of Periphas, and Diomedes drives his spear into the god's belly. Ares bellows like nine thousand men and goes up to Olympus, where Zeus tells him that he is hateful to him, but has Paeon heal him.
Homer, Odyssey 8.256–369The song of Ares and AphroditeAlcinous has the lyre fetched, and the young Phaeacians dance while Odysseus watches. Demodocus sings of how Hephaestus caught his wife Aphrodite in bed with Ares, trapping them in a net of fine bronze chains, and called the gods to see. Hermes and Apollo joke about it, and Poseidon persuades Hephaestus to set Ares free, and Ares goes off to Thrace and Aphrodite to Paphos. Odysseus is delighted at the song.
Homer, Iliad 5.431–518Apollo rescues Aeneas; Ares rallies the TrojansDiomedes rushes at Aeneas three times, but Apollo thrusts him back and carries Aeneas to his temple in Pergamus, where Leto and Artemis heal him, while Apollo makes a phantom of Aeneas for the armies to fight over. Apollo rouses Ares to join the Trojans, and Ares rallies them in the likeness of Acamas. Sarpedon rebukes Hector, who rouses his men, and Aeneas returns to the fighting healed.
Homer, Iliad 5.519–626Hector and Ares drive the Achaeans backAeneas kills Crethon and Orsilochus, and Menelaus and Antilochus avenge them, killing Pylaemenes and Mydon. Hector, led by Ares and Enyo, drives into the Achaeans, and Diomedes, seeing Ares beside him, tells his men to give ground while keeping their faces to the Trojans. Hector kills Menesthes and Anchialus, and Ajax kills Amphius.
Homer, Iliad 5.297–430Diomedes wounds AphroditeAeneas stands over the body of Pandarus, and Diomedes hurls a stone that crushes his hip, but Aphrodite wraps him in her robe and Diomedes pierces her hand. She drops her son, and Apollo covers Aeneas with a cloud while Iris leads the wounded goddess to Ares, who lends her his chariot to Olympus. Dione comforts her daughter, Athena mocks her, and Zeus tells Aphrodite that war is not her business.
Homer, Iliad 15.78–142Hera on Olympus; Athena stops AresHera goes to the gods on Olympus and tells them that Zeus will not be moved. Ares, hearing that his son Ascalaphus has been killed, prepares to go down in armour to avenge him, and Athena takes the helmet and spear from him and rebukes him. Athena makes him sit down again on his throne.
Homer, Iliad 21.383–513The battle of the godsThe gods go to war with one another: Ares attacks Athena with his spear and is knocked down by a stone she hurls, and Athena strikes Aphrodite when she comes to help him. Poseidon challenges Apollo, who refuses to fight over mortals, and Artemis, scolded by Hera, is beaten and runs in tears to Zeus. Hermes declines to fight Leto, who gathers up the scattered bow and arrows of her daughter.
Homer, Iliad 3.111–244Helen on the wall of TroyIris, in the likeness of Laodice, calls Helen to the wall, where she goes with two handmaids and joins Priam and the old men at the Scaean gates. Priam asks her to name the Achaean leaders, and Helen points out Agamemnon, Odysseus and Ajax, and looks in vain for her brothers. Antenor recalls the time when Odysseus and Menelaus came to Troy as envoys.
Homer, Iliad 5.1–94Athena empowers DiomedesAthena fills Diomedes with strength and sets a flame burning from his helmet and shield, and he drives into the Trojans, killing Phegeus while Hephaestus saves Phegeus' brother Idaeus. Athena takes Ares out of the fighting, and the Achaeans turn the Trojans, each leader killing a man. Diomedes rages across the plain like a river in flood, and the Trojan ranks cannot stand before him.
Homer, Iliad 13.455–575Aeneas and Idomeneus; Deiphobus is woundedDeiphobus finds Aeneas, who is angry with Priam, and Aeneas stands against Idomeneus, who calls his comrades to him, and the two sides fight round the body. Idomeneus kills Oenomaus, and Deiphobus kills Ascalaphus, a son of Ares, while Meriones wounds Deiphobus in the arm and Polites leads him from the field. Aeneas kills Aphareus, Antilochus kills Thoon, and Adamas, who struck Antilochus' shield, is killed by Meriones.
Homer, Iliad 2.645–785The Catalogue of Ships (3): Crete, Achilles' Myrmidons and ThessalyThe Catalogue turns to the Cretans under Idomeneus, Tlepolemus of Rhodes and Nireus of Syme. It lists Achilles' Myrmidons, who lie idle by their ships while he nurses his wrath, and then the contingents from Thessaly, including those of Protesilaus, Philoctetes and Eumelus. The poet asks the Muse who were the best of the men and horses, and names Ajax as the best man while Achilles was angry.
Homer, Iliad 3.1–110The armies advance; Hector shames ParisThe Trojans advance with a clamour like cranes, while the Achaeans march in silence. Paris steps out and challenges the best of the Achaeans, but shrinks back when he sees Menelaus, and Hector rebukes him until he offers to fight Menelaus alone for Helen and the treasure. Hector halts the Trojan ranks, and Menelaus accepts the challenge and asks that Priam come to swear the oaths.

26 more passages of Homer that name Ares

Apollodorus (7)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.4.1–4Cadmus and the founding of ThebesAfter the death of Telephassa, Cadmus is told at Delphi to follow a cow and found a city where it lies down. He kills the dragon of Ares, sows its teeth to raise the Spartoi, serves Ares for a year, and marries Harmonia. Their daughters Autonoe, Ino, Semele and Agave are named; Semele is destroyed when she asks to see Zeus in his glory, Dionysus is born from Zeus's thigh, and Ino and Athamas rear him and are driven mad. The section ends with Actaeon, torn apart by his own dogs after seeing Artemis bathing.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.7.1–10Prometheus, Deucalion's flood and the family of HellenPrometheus moulds men from water and earth, steals fire for them and is nailed to Mount Caucasus, where an eagle eats his liver until Heracles frees him. His son Deucalion survives Zeus's flood in a chest with Pyrrha and makes new people from stones; their son Hellen gives the Greeks their name and divides the country among Dorus, Xuthus and Aeolus. The section then follows Aeolus's children: the Aloads Otus and Ephialtes who pile Ossa and Pelion on Olympus, Endymion, Aetolus, Evenus and Marpessa, and the house of Thestius.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.14.1–8Cecrops, Athena and Poseidon, and the early kings of AthensCecrops, a son of the soil, is the first king of Attica, and in his reign Athena and Poseidon contend for the land and the gods award it to Athena. The section covers Cecrops's daughters, Cephalus, Cinyras and Adonis, the kings Cranaus, Amphictyon and Erichthonius (born from Hephaestus's seed), the gift of wine to Icarius and Erigone's death, and ends with Pandion and the story of Procne, Philomela and Tereus.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.8.1–6Oeneus, Meleager and the Calydonian boarOeneus of Calydon is the first to receive a vine from Dionysus, and the Fates declare that his son Meleager will die when the brand on the hearth is burnt out, so Althaea hides it. When Oeneus forgets Artemis in his sacrifices she sends a boar, and a company of heroes is gathered; Atalanta wounds it first and Meleager kills it and gives her the hide. He kills his mother's brothers, the sons of Thestius, who took it from her, and Althaea burns the brand; a second version has him fall in a war against the Curetes. The section ends with Oeneus's later marriage, Tydeus (father of Diomedes) and the revenge of Diomedes on the sons of Agrius.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.9.16–22Jason and the Argonauts: the voyage to PhineusPelias is warned against the man with one sandal and sends Jason to fetch the Golden Fleece from Colchis. Argus builds the Argo, the crew is listed, and the ship calls at Lemnos, at the land of the Doliones where Cyzicus is killed by mistake, and at Mysia, where Hylas is lost and Heracles is left behind. Polydeuces kills Amycus of the Bebryces, and at Salmydessus Zetes and Calais drive the Harpies from the seer Phineus, who tells the crew how to pass the Clashing Rocks.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.5.7–10The Labours of Heracles (7-10): the Cretan Bull to Geryon's CattleHeracles brings the Cretan bull to Mycenae and takes the man-eating mares of Diomedes of Thrace, founding Abdera. For the belt of Hippolyte he sails to the Amazons, kills her after Hera stirs up trouble, and on the way home saves Hesione from the sea monster at Troy, which Laomedon will not pay for. For the tenth labour he crosses to Erytheia, kills Geryon and his herdsman and dog, and drives the cattle home through Italy and Sicily, wrestling Eryx and enduring Hera's gadfly.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.5.11–12The Labours of Heracles (11-12): the Golden Apples and CerberusBecause the hydra and the stables are not counted, two more labours are added. For the golden apples of the Hesperides Heracles seizes Nereus to learn the way, defeats Antaeus and Busiris, frees Prometheus from the eagle, and gets the apples by tricking Atlas into taking the sky back. He is initiated at Eleusis, goes down to Hades by Taenarum, raises Theseus (but not Pirithous), wrestles Menoetes, and carries Cerberus up to Eurystheus and back.

Aeschylus (8)

Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 78–180Parodos: the Theban women in terrorThe Chorus of Theban women sing in terror of the sound of the approaching army, the clatter of the chariots and the dust, and call on the gods of the city for help. They pray to Athena, Poseidon, Ares, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis and Hera and beg them to save Thebes from capture and slavery.
Aeschylus, Eumenides 681–733Athena founds the court on the Hill of AresAthena addresses the people of Attica and establishes the court on the Hill of Ares for the first trial of a murder case. She says that the reverence and fear of the citizens will keep them from doing wrong by day and night as long as they do not corrupt the laws, and she tells the jurors to cast their votes. The Furies and Apollo threaten and warn each other while the jurors come forward.
Aeschylus, Suppliants 600–709Third episode and second stasimon: the vote of ArgosDanaus returns with the news that the Argives have voted unanimously to give the maidens refuge. The Chorus offer prayers for the Argives, for their city and their land, and ask that no plague, civil war or loss of their young men fall on it. They pray for fruitful seasons and a just government, and that the Argives may keep honouring their gods and their parents.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 1–77Prologue: Eteocles and the ScoutEteocles calls on the citizens of Thebes to defend the city, every man at his post, and says that the seer foretells a great Argive attack. A Scout comes back from the enemy camp and reports that seven champions have sworn an oath over a slaughtered bull, and are casting lots for the gates. Eteocles prays to Zeus, Earth and the gods of the city to save Thebes from capture.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 369–456Second episode: Tydeus and Capaneus at the first two gatesThe Scout comes back and reports where the seven chieftains stand. Tydeus is storming the Proetid gates and rages at the seer for holding him back. Eteocles sets Melanippus against him, and then, after the Chorus prays, he answers the Scout's report of Capaneus, a giant who has boasted that even Zeus cannot keep him out of the city, by posting Polyphontes against him and trusting in the thunderbolt of Zeus.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 457–562Second episode: Eteoclus, Hippomedon and Parthenopaeus at the next three gatesThe Scout reports Eteoclus at the third gate, Hippomedon, who spins his huge shield, at the fourth, and Parthenopaeus of Arcadia at the fifth. For each, Eteocles names a Theban to meet him, Megareus, Hyperbius and Actor, and he says that the signs on the enemies' shields tell of their own doom.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 875–1010Exodos: the lament for the two brothersThe Chorus and the sisters Antigone and Ismene sing a long lament over the two brothers. They speak of the curse of Oedipus that has been fulfilled, of the wounds the brothers gave and took, and of the grief that they bring on their house, and Antigone and Ismene ask where the brothers shall be buried.
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 423–478Kommos (2): Agamemnon's burial and Electra's confinementThe lament goes on with a description of how Clytaemestra buried Agamemnon without honour, and Electra tells how she was shut away. The Chorus tell Orestes to take it to heart, and the three call on their father to help them against their enemies, so that the children may win the contest.

Sophocles (4)

Sophocles, Electra 1384–1441Third stasimon and the killing of ClytaemnestraThe Chorus sing that Ares and the avengers have gone into the palace, led by Hermes. Electra stands outside to watch for Aegisthus, and Clytaemnestra's cries are heard from inside as she begs her son for mercy. Electra calls out for a second blow, and the Chorus say that the curses are fulfilled. Orestes comes out with the news that all is well within if Apollo's oracle spoke well, and the Chorus see Aegisthus approaching.
Sophocles, Antigone 100–161bParodos: the Chorus of Theban eldersThe Chorus of Theban elders greet the sunrise that has driven off the Argive army that came because of Polyneices' claims. They sing how Zeus struck down a boaster as he was starting to shout victory at the ramparts, how the seven captains fell at the seven gates, and how the two brothers killed each other. They call for a night of dancing in the temples with Bacchus as their leader, and as they end they see Creon, the new king, approaching.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1044–1098Second stasimon: the Chorus imagine the pursuitThe Chorus pray to be where the enemy will soon join battle, by the shores of Apollo or at the torch-lit beach, and imagine the horsemen of Athens overtaking the fugitives. They pray to Zeus and Pallas Athena, and to Apollo and his sister, for help, and sense that today the maidens will be recovered, and see the daughters returning.
Sophocles, Ajax 134–200Parodos: the sailors of SalamisThe Chorus of Salaminian sailors, followers of Ajax, say that rumours are spreading through the army that Ajax has killed the captured cattle, and that Odysseus is spreading the slander. They say that envy strikes the great, wonder whether Artemis or Ares sent the madness, and call on Ajax to come out and answer his enemies.

Euripides (8)

Euripides, Alcestis 476–506Third episode: Heracles arrives on his way to ThraceHeracles asks the Chorus whether Admetus is at home, and the Chorus tells him that he is. Heracles says that he is on his way to Thrace to take the horses of Diomedes for Eurystheus, and the Chorus warns him of the man-eating horses and their master, a son of Ares. Heracles answers that no one will ever see him tremble before a foe.
Euripides, Bacchae 1302–1351Exodos: Dionysus' judgment and Kadmos' fateKadmos says that Pentheus, like Agave, did not revere the god, who therefore joined them all in one ruin, and he mourns his grandson. Dionysus appears and foretells that Kadmos and Harmonia will become serpents and lead a barbarian army against many cities, until Ares settles them in the land of the blessed. Kadmos and Agave plead that they have sinned, but Dionysus says that they learned too late.
Euripides, Electra 1233–1291Exodos: the Dioscuri appear and give their judgmentThe Chorus sees two figures above the house, and the Dioscuri, Castor and Polydeuces, brothers of Clytemnestra, speak to Orestes, saying that she has her just reward but that he has not acted justly, and that Phoebus gave unwise oracles. They tell him to give Electra to Pylades, to leave Argos, which he may not enter, and to go to Athens, where he will be tried, since the dread goddesses will drive him, and he will be acquitted when the votes are equal.
Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 939–988Second episode: Orestes tells of the trial at Athens and Apollo's oracleOrestes tells of the beginning of his troubles: that he killed his mother at Apollo's command, was pursued by the Furies, and was tried at Athens by the gods, and that some of them accepted the verdict while the others still pursued him. He says that the oracle told him to bring the image of Artemis from the land of the Taurians to Athens, and the Chorus says that a terrible anger from the gods has boiled up against the race of Tantalus.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 638–689First choral song: Cadmus, the dragon and the Sown MenThe Chorus sings of Cadmus' arrival in Thebes, following the heifer, and of the birth of Bromius beside Dirce. They tell how he killed Ares' dragon and sowed its teeth, from which armed men sprang. They call on Epaphus, Persephone and Demeter to help the land.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 784–832Second choral song: the Chorus reproaches Ares and recalls the curse on ThebesThe Chorus asks Ares why he loves blood and war instead of the festivals of Bromius. They wish that Oedipus had died on Cithaeron and the Sphinx had never come. They recall the Sown Men, the wedding of Harmonia and the building of the walls to Amphion's lyre.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 896–961Fourth episode: Teiresias demands the sacrifice of MenoeceusCreon asks Teiresias to speak, and the prophet says that Menoeceus must be sacrificed above the dragon's cave beside the springs of Dirce, to atone for the dragon's death. He says that Menoeceus is the only Sown descendant who is unmarried. Teiresias leaves, and Creon is struck silent.
Euripides, Rhesus 319–387Second episode: Hector grudgingly accepts Rhesus; the Chorus welcomes himHector says that he will find many friends now that fortune smiles, but that he loathes the friend who comes too late, like one who arrives at the feast when he was not with the hunters. The Chorus Leader and the shepherd urge him to receive the newcomer, and Hector agrees. The Chorus sings in welcome of Rhesus, the son of Strymon and a Muse, and prays that he will humble Achilles.

Apollonius Rhodius (8)

Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.1030–1225The birds of Ares and the sons of PhrixusNear the island of Ares the heroes scare off the birds that shoot their feathers like arrows, by wearing helmets and clashing shields. On the island they find the four shipwrecked sons of Phrixus, who are Jason's kinsmen, and who tell them of Aeetes and the sleepless serpent. Argus agrees to guide the Argonauts to Colchis.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.1163–1277Hecate's rites and the arming of Jason and AeetesJason tells the heroes Medea's counsel, and Telamon fetches the dragon's teeth from Aeetes. By night Jason sacrifices to Hecate, and in the morning Aeetes arms himself and goes to the field of the contest. Jason steeps his weapons in the charm, and Idas cannot break his spear.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.911–1029Sthenelus' barrow, Sinope and the AmazonsThe ghost of Sthenelus appears at his barrow and the heroes pour libations. Argo passes the Parthenius, takes on Deileon, Autolycus and Phlogius at Sinope, and puts in at the mouth of the Thermodon, where the Amazons are arming. Sailing on, the heroes pass the Chalybes, the Tibareni with their strange custom, and the Mossynoeci.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.299–438The banquet and Aeetes' demandsAt the banquet Aeetes questions his grandsons, and Argus tells how his ship was wrecked and why the Argonauts have come. Aeetes grows angry and agrees to give up the Fleece only if Jason will yoke the fire-breathing bulls, plough the field of Ares and sow the dragon's teeth, and Jason accepts.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.1278–1407Jason yokes the fire-breathing bullsJason anoints himself, faces the bulls, yokes them and ploughs the field of Ares. He sows the dragon's teeth, throws a stone among the Earthborn men who spring up, and they kill each other. Aeetes goes back to the city in anger.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.301–447Phineus' prophecy of the voyage to ColchisFed at last, Phineus tells the heroes how to pass the Clashing Rocks with a dove, and names the peoples and coasts on the way to Colchis: the Mariandyni, the Amazons, the Chalybes, the isle of Ares and the Phasis. When Jason asks about the way home he says that a god will guide them and bids them rely on Cypris. The sons of Boreas return, and Phineus says he wants only death.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 2.1226–1285Argo reaches the river PhasisArgo passes the island of Philyra and the coast of the Macrones and Becheiri. At evening the heroes see Prometheus on the Caucasus and the eagle that feeds on him, and they reach the broad river Phasis, where they lower the sails, row into the stream and moor the ship in a shady backwater.
Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 4.92–211Jason takes the Golden FleeceJason swears to marry Medea, and they go to the grove of Ares, where Medea charms the sleepless serpent with her spells. Jason takes the Fleece from the oak, and the two return to the ship, where he tells the heroes they must set sail at once.

Callimachus (2)

Callimachus, Hymns 4.1–86Hymn to Delos: Asteria among the islandsThe poet resolves to sing of Delos, nurse of Apollo, a wave-beaten isle that leads the others when they gather before Oceanus and Tethys. He tells how the island, once the floating Asteria who fled the love of Zeus, was named Delos when it became the birthplace of Apollo. Hera, angry with Leto, posts Ares on Haemus to watch the mainland and Iris on Mimas to watch the islands, and the cities of Greece flee from Leto. Apollo, still in the womb, rebukes Thebe.
Callimachus, Hymns 4.87–204Hymn to Delos: Leto's wanderingsThe unborn Apollo warns Thebe not to make him prophesy yet and speaks of his coming fight with the serpent at Pytho. Leto is refused by the Achaean cities and by Thessaly, and Peneius is ready to shelter her until Ares threatens him and she bids him save himself. The islands, frightened by Iris, turn her away, and on Cos the unborn god forbids her to bear him there because another god, Ptolemy, is due to be born on the island. He foretells the defeat of the Galatians at Delphi, and Asteria then calls to Leto to cross over to her.

Diodorus Siculus (1)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.45.1–4.49.8The Argonauts II: Colchis, Medea and the golden fleeceThe historian explains the custom of the Colchi of killing strangers by the story of Aeëtes and his brother Perses, and gives the traditions about Medea and about Phrixus and the ram with the golden fleece. With Medea's help the Argonauts take the fleece; the king of the Colchi falls in the fighting, and the chiefs sail home by way of Byzantium and Troy.

Ovid (5)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 3.1–137Cadmus and the DragonZeus (Jupiter) reveals himself to Europa in Crete, and her father Agenor sends his son Cadmus to look for her and not to return without her. Cadmus consults the oracle of Apollo, which tells him to follow a heifer and to found a city where she lies down. He kills the dragon of Ares (Mars), which guards a spring, and sows its teeth on Athena's (Minerva's) advice, and armed men spring up from the furrows and fight until only five are left. These help him to build Thebes, and Cadmus prospers, though his story shows that no man can be called happy before his death.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 4.169–271Ares and Aphrodite; Leucothoe and ClytieLeuconoe takes up the tale and tells how the Sun saw Ares (Mars) and Aphrodite (Venus) together and told Hephaestus (Vulcan), who trapped them in a net. Aphrodite takes revenge by making the Sun love Leucothoe, daughter of Orchamus, and he comes to her disguised as her mother. Clytie, the Sun's earlier love, tells Orchamus, who buries his daughter alive, and the Sun turns her into frankincense, while Clytie, abandoned, pines and becomes a heliotrope.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 14.772–851Romulus and HersiliaAmulius seizes the kingdom, and Numitor wins it back with the help of his grandsons, and Rome's walls are begun. The Sabine king Tatius makes war, Tarpeia betrays the citadel, and a hot spring, raised by Juno, closes the gate against the Sabines. After a battle the Romans and Sabines make peace. Mars asks Zeus (Jupiter) to fulfil his promise of heaven to Romulus, and the king is taken up in the god's chariot, and Hera (Juno) sends Iris to his widow Hersilia, who is received among the gods as Hora, the consort of Quirinus.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 3.511–583Pentheus and DionysusThe blind prophet Teiresias (Tiresias) tells Pentheus, the king of Thebes, to worship the new god Dionysus (Bacchus), and Pentheus scorns him. Pentheus orders his guards to arrest the stranger who has come to Thebes with the rites of the god, and the guards bring in a prisoner, one of the god's followers, who begins to tell his story.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 7.1–158Jason and MedeaThe Argonauts, after freeing King Phineus from the Harpies, reach Colchis, and Jason demands the Golden Fleece from King Aeetes, who sets him impossible tasks. Medea, the king's daughter, falls in love with the stranger, torn between love and duty, and at last gives way, deciding to save him if he will swear to marry her. She gives him a charm to protect him against the fire-breathing bulls, and he yokes them, ploughs the field, sows the dragon's teeth, and kills the armed men that spring from them by throwing a stone among them. Medea then lulls the dragon to sleep, and Jason takes the fleece and sails away with her to Iolcus.

Pausanias (12)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.19.1–13Amyclae and Therapne: Hyacinth’s tomb, Helen and the White IslePausanias describes the image of the Amyclaean Apollo, standing on an altar said to hold the tomb of Hyacinth and carved with reliefs, and the sanctuary of Alexandra and Dionysus Psilax at Amyclae. He then follows the road to Therapne past the sanctuaries of Zeus, Cotylean Aesculapius and Ares Theritas, and gives the Rhodian story of Helen’s hanging and the tale from Crotona and Himera of Leonymus and the White Isle.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.48.1–8Tegea: the market-place, the women's victory over Charillus and AugePausanias describes the brick-shaped market-place of Tegea, with its temple of Aphrodite, reliefs of the lawgivers and of the Olympic victor Iasius, and a digression on the palm and other crowns given to victors. He covers the relief of Ares, called Entertainer of Women because the women of Tegea, under Marpessa, routed the Spartan king Charillus in ambush and kept the sacrifice to themselves. He also mentions the altar of Full-grown Zeus, the tombs of Tegeates and Maera, and the temple of Ilithyia, called Auge on her Knees, with the two tales of the birth of Telephus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.8.1–6Athens: Attalus of Pergamum, Demosthenes and the temple of AresPausanias gives the history of Attalus of Pergamum, nephew of Philetaerus, who forced the Gauls back from the coast. Statues near the Agora include Lycurgus, Callias and Demosthenes, whose exile and death by poison at Calauria he recounts. He also describes the temple of Ares with works by Alcamenes and the sons of Praxiteles, statues of Calades and Pindar, the group of Harmodius and Aristogiton, and the Egyptian kings’ statues before the Music Hall.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.44.1–8The road to Tegea: Oresthasium, the sources of the Alpheus and Eurotas, and PallantiumPausanias follows the road from Megalopolis to Pallantium and Tegea, passing Ladocea, Haemoniae and the remains of Oresthasium with its sanctuary of Artemis the Priestess. Near Asea he places the sources of the Alpheus and Eurotas, whose waters mingle and then disappear into a chasm to rise in different lands, and the sanctuary on Mount Boreus ascribed to Ulysses. He describes Pallantium, with its images of Pallas and Evander and the hill sanctuary of the Pure gods, and the Manthuric plain, Mount Cresius, the sanctuary of Ares Aphneus and the Leuconian fountain.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.36.1–8Orchomenus: Phlegyas, Minyas and his treasury, and HyettusPausanias continues the kings of Orchomenus: Chryse's son Phlegyas, whose warlike Phlegyans raided Delphi and were destroyed by the god, then Chryses and Minyas, who built the first treasury. He says Greek historians neglected the treasury of Minyas in favour of the Egyptian pyramids. He recounts the reign of Orchomenus, the arrival of the exile Hyettus from Argos and the marriage of Chloris, daughter of Amphion, to Neleus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.21.1–7Athens: poets’ statues in the theatre, Niobe and the sanctuary of AsclepiusIn the theatre are statues of tragic and comic poets, with stories of Sophocles’ honours and Aeschylus’ vocation from Dionysus. Above it are the Gorgon’s head on the Acropolis wall and a cave with a tripod showing Niobe’s children being shot, which Pausanias compares with the rock Niobe on Mount Sipylus. He mentions the grave of Calos, the sanctuary of Asclepius, and a Sarmatian horse-hoof corselet, which leads to a digression on Sarmatian arms and linen corselets.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.28.1–11Athens: Acropolis offerings, the Areopagus and the courts of justicePausanias lists offerings on the Acropolis, including Phidias’ bronze Athena from the Marathon spoils and the Lemnian Athena, then the Pelasgian wall and a cave sanctuary of Apollo. Below it he describes the Areopagus, the sanctuary of the Venerable Ones (the Furies) and the tomb of Oedipus. He ends with the Athenian law courts, from the Parabystum and the Heliaea to the Palladium, Delphinium, Prytaneum and Phreattys, with the stories of Demophon, Theseus, the Ox-slayer’s axe and Teucer.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.25.1–10Argive roads: Oenoe, Lyrcea, Orneae, Tiryns, Midea and LessaPausanias follows the roads leading out of Argos. The Mantinea road passes a double sanctuary of Aphrodite and Ares, Oenoe named for Oeneus, and Mount Artemisius with the springs of the Inachus; another leads to Lyrcea and Orneae. On the Epidaurus road he notes the pyramid-like monument of the fight between Proetus and Acrisius, the Cyclopean walls of Tiryns, the ruins of Midea, and Lessa with its temple of Athena and Mount Arachnaeus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 7.21.1–14Patrae: Coresus and Callirhoe, the harbour sanctuaries and the mirror oraclePausanias tells the story of Coresus, priest of Dionysus at Calydon, whose love for Callirhoe led Dionysus to madden the Calydonians until Coresus sacrificed Callirhoe or someone who would die for her. Coresus killed himself instead of the girl, and Callirhoe then killed herself at the spring that bears her name. He lists the sanctuaries of Patrae: the precinct of the three Dionysus images, the sanctuary of Safety, Poseidon Hippius, Aphrodite, Ares, Apollo and Demeter. Beside Demeter's spring the sick consult a mirror let down on a cord, and there are also two sanctuaries of Serapis and one of Aesculapius.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 7.22.1–11Pharae and Tritia: the oracle of Hermes and the road to AegiumPausanias describes Pharae, annexed to Patrae by Augustus, with its plane-tree grove and its market-place oracle of Hermes, where the enquirer whispers a question into the god's ear and takes the first words he hears as the answer. He mentions the thirty square stones revered as gods and the grove of the Dioscuri. He then describes Tritia, with its painted tomb by Nicias and its sanctuary of the Greatest Gods, and gives the coastal distances from Patrae to Aegium, with the river Charadrus whose water makes flocks bear males.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.32.1–5Megalopolis: the southern quarter and its theatrePausanias describes the south side of the river at Megalopolis, with the largest theatre in Greece, the foundations of the Thersilium built for the Arcadian Ten Thousand and a house built for Alexander. He lists the ruined sanctuaries of the Muses, Apollo and Hermes, of the three Aphrodites, of Ares, Dionysus and Hercules and Hermes, and the stadium. On the eastern hill are the temples of Huntress Artemis and Aesculapius, the images of Athena Worker and Apollo, and the huge bones said to be those of a giant.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.10.1–6Thebes: the Ismenian Apollo and the fountain of AresPausanias describes the great sepulchre near the gate for those who fell against Alexander, and the place where Cadmus is said to have sown the dragon's teeth. He then describes the hill of Apollo Ismenius, with the Pronai statues of Athena and Hermes and a cedar image like that at Branchidae, which he attributes to Canachus. He mentions Manto's seat, the statues of Creon's daughters, the annual boy priest called Laurel-bearer and the tripod of Amphitryo. He ends with the fountain of Ares, the grave of Caanthus, who tried to rescue Melia from Apollo, and Apollo's sons Tenerus and Ismenius.

Quintus Smyrnaeus (6)

Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 8.237–394Ares rallies the TrojansAres comes unseen to the Trojans as they flee within their gates, and they turn and fight again like hounds at a wolf. Neoptolemus kills Perimedes, Cestrus, Phalerus and many more, and the Argives press the Trojans into the city.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 1.654–765Achilles and ThersitesAchilles takes the helmet from the dead queen's head and, seeing how beautiful she is, grieves for her. Ares rushes down from Olympus in anger for his child but is held back by Zeus. Thersites jeers at Achilles for pitying an Amazon, and Achilles strikes him dead with a single blow.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 1.134–226Penthesileia arms for battleAt dawn Penthesileia puts on the arms given her by the war-god, and Priam prays to Zeus. While he prays an eagle darts past with a dove in its talons, and fear chills his heart. The Argives see the Trojan host and Penthesileia charging and arm to meet them.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 11.129–282Apollo rouses the TrojansApollo comes to Aeneas and Eurymachus and fills the Trojans with courage, and they leap on the Greeks like wasps on bees. Neoptolemus rallies the Myrmidons and drives back the Trojans, until Aeneas stands against him. Dust fills the air so that friends kill friends, until Zeus clears the plain.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 6.1–115Calchas sends for NeoptolemusAt an assembly Menelaus laments the slain and proposes that the Argives sail home. Calchas answers that victory is at hand and that Tydeus' son and Odysseus must fetch Achilles' son from Scyros. Menelaus asks Odysseus to go, and the assembly breaks up for its meal.
Quintus Smyrnaeus, The Fall of Troy (Posthomerica) 9.210–320Apollo and Poseidon check NeoptolemusNeoptolemus drives against Deiphobus, who is snatched away by Apollo in a cloud, and Zeus then lifts the cloud. Neoptolemus presses the Trojans to the Scaean Gate. Apollo comes down to strike him as he struck his father, but Poseidon strengthens the Greeks, and Apollo yields.

Nonnus of Panopolis (49)

Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 35.79–203Book 35: Morrheus lays down his arms for Chalcomede; Aphrodite mocks AresProtonoe and Cheirobie take up arms against the Bassarids, while Chalcomede deceives Morrheus again, telling him to put off his armour and wash before she will come to his bed. Morrheus lays down his weapons and bathes in the sea, though he comes out as dark as before, and Aphrodite mocks Ares for being outdone by love.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 32.151–220Book 32: Deriades attacks the Bacchants while Dionysos is madWith Dionysos mad, Deriades attacks the Bacchants, and Ares returns in the shape of the Indian champion Modaios. Many Bacchants fall to Deriades' spear, and Morrheus kills the Cyprian youth Echelaos and mocks him.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 29.291–381Book 29: At the ford; Rheia's dream sends Ares awayAt the ford Dionysos' shout drives the Indians into the water, and he challenges Deriades to a duel. Pan kills Melaneus to avenge Hymenaios. At night a false dream sent at Rheia's bidding tells Ares that Aphrodite has returned to Hephaistos, and he leaves the battlefield for Cyprus and Lemnos.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 20.182–288Book 20: Hera sends Iris to deceive Lycurgos and DionysosHera sends Iris to Lycurgos with a poleaxe, disguised as Ares, and she urges him to fight Dionysos and his women; Lycurgos takes the message as an omen of victory. Iris then goes to Dionysos in the guise of a messenger and falsely tells him to lay down his arms and come as a guest to Lycurgos' house.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 2.631–712Book 2: Zeus rewards Cadmos; the spoils hung in OlymposEarth mourns her son while Nature closes the rents in the ground and the stars return to their paths. Zeus calls Cadmos, promises him Harmonia and a wedding feast, warns him against offending Ares, and tells him where his brothers and sister now are. Zeus returns to Olympos, where the spoils of the Giant are hung in the vestibule.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 5.0–121Book 5: Cadmos founds Thebes and its seven gatesCadmos sacrifices the cow to Athena, fights the neighbouring peoples and lays out the city of Thebes with seven gates named for the seven planets. Harmonia's wedding is celebrated with dances, music and the gods' attendance, and Zeus sits at the same table as Cadmos.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 18.268–368Book 18: Staphylos' exhortation; Dionysos returns to a house in mourningStaphylos goes on to compare Dionysos with Zeus, Ares and Perseus as slayers of monsters and urges him to destroy Deriades. Dionysos sends the herald Pherespondos to offer Deriades peace or war. On his return he finds that Staphylos has died, reads the news in the faces of Methe, Botrys and Pithos, and speaks to the mourning household.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 29.78–166Book 29: Aphrodite's distress; Apollo's cure; Melaneus is woundedAphrodite keeps the arrow out of the flesh, and Dionysos carries Hymenaios from the fight and laments, blaming Hera and Ares for the wound. He heals the boy with ivy and wine, and Hymenaios returns to the battle and wounds Melaneus in revenge.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 33.105–194Book 33: Aglaia's message; Eros wounds Morrheus with desireAglaia brings Aphrodite's message, and Eros offers to fight anyone who has wronged his mother. Aphrodite tells him that Ares is helping Deriades and asks him to help Dionysos by making Morrheus fall in love with the Bacchic girl Chalcomede. Eros flies to the Indian host and shoots his arrow into Morrheus.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 2.241–390Book 2: Typhon's boast and the first assault on ZeusTyphoeus wakes shouting threats: he will overturn the heavens, bring up Cronos and the Titans, and take Hera for his bride. Zeus laughs, and the battle opens with the Giant hurling trees and rocks against the thunderbolt.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 8.0–121Book 8: Semele's pregnancy; Ares threatens to leave heavenSemele grows heavy with child and is carried off by every strain of pipes and cymbals in the hills. Envy, jealous of the unborn Dionysos, stirs up Ares, who complains of Zeus's loves and says he will leave Olympos for Thrace. Hera, still angry, meets Deceit near Mount Dicte.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 8.122–177Book 8: Hera borrows the girdle of DeceitHera flatters Deceit and asks for the girdle with which Rheia once deceived Cronos. She complains that a mortal woman has taken her husband and threatens to leave heaven. Deceit gives her the girdle, saying it will charm Zeus and bring Ares home.

37 more passages of Nonnus of Panopolis that name Ares

Epic Cycle (2)

Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 6.1–5AethiopisProclus' summary tells how Memnon, the son of Eos, comes to help the Trojans in armour made by Hephaestus, and how Thetis tells her son about him. Achilles is killed by Paris and Apollo and Aias carries the body away. A fragment adds the Amazon, the daughter of Ares, who came after the burial of Hector.
Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 9.1–10.2Returns and TelegonyProclus' summary of the Returns begins with Athena causing a quarrel between Agamemnon and Menelaus about the voyage from Troy. The fragments mention Medea and Aeson, Heracles at Themiscyra, and Telemachus marrying Circe. The Telegony, in two books, has Odysseus sailing to Elis after the suitors are buried, and the author says that Odysseus had a son Telegonus by Calypso.

Lycophron (1)

Lycophron, Alexandra 115–251Alexandra 115–251: The wife of five husbands; the heifer sacrificed to the winds; Cassandra's regret for ignored oraclesCassandra warns the seaman that a man of justice will rob him of his bride, and that he will come back to his burnt country embracing the wraith of a woman married five times. Her five bridegrooms are described through riddling epithets, among them two wolf-eagles, a half-Cretan stranger and a man who pines for her phantom face in his dreams. The Greeks then sacrifice a heifer to the blustering winds, a hind saving her from the knife, and Cassandra wishes her father had heeded the oracles and destroyed the two in one doom. The section closes with children shut in a chest, Ares dancing over the land, and the fields bristling with spears.

Orpheus (attributed) (2)

Orpheus (attributed), Orphic Hymns 62–66Hymns 62-66: Justice, Equity, Law, Mars, VulcanThree hymns praise the principles that order the world: Justice, whose piercing eye sits beside the throne of Zeus, Equity, the friend of just conduct, and Law, the king of gods and men. Mars is invoked as the unconquered god who rejoices in darts and bloody wars, and Vulcan as the strong bearer of unwearied fire.
Orpheus (attributed), Orphic Hymns 37–41Hymns 37-41: the Titans, the Curetes, Corybas, Ceres, the Ceralian MotherA hymn to the Titans calls them the offspring of Heaven and Earth, and a second hymn to the Curetes names them as brass-beating servants of Mars. Corybas is invoked as a two-fold Curete. Two hymns to Demeter follow, one to Ceres as universal mother and one to the Ceralian Mother, who wandered in grief until she found her daughter Proserpine in the underworld.