On the other hand he signified courage and victory in battle, and was devoutly worshipped by soldiers going to war. Prayers were addressed to him before the war and spoils presented at his altar after it.

In retaliation, Poseidon dragged him before a group of Athenian judges for trial.

He was as thoughtless as he was unkind.

Son of Zeus and Hera, Ares was appointed god of war. He was terrible and majestic, and his march shook the world.

Of all the major gods at Olympus, he was the most hateful, loving struggle and war and ever thirsty for blood.

He was the one god who ever had to submit to the power of his inferiors.

At one time lack of tact and good judgment led to his shame. He was fighting with two giants, and finding himself no match for the two monstrous creatures, laid down his arms and was imprisoned in chains. He was set free in the end by the artful Hermes, but not before he had suffered all the humiliations.

A son of Poseidon's, attempting to kidnap his daughter, made the war-god unhappy, so that he killed the youth Without he sitation.

The hill was ever after called Areopagus, "the hill of Ares", and the judges received the names of Areopagitae.

The court was held on a hill outside Athens. Ares presented his case and was declared innocent.