what was ares the god of

Ares was the Greek god of war or, more accurately, the spirit of battle. He was the son of Zeus and Hera, and his siblings included Eris, Phobos, and Deimos. Unlike his Roman counterpart, Mars, Ares was never very popular, and his worship was not extensive in Greece. He represented the distasteful aspects of brutal warfare and slaughter. Ares was reckless, bloodthirsty, and brutal, representing all the worst and most terrifying aspects of battle. He was accompanied in battle by his sister Eris (Strife) and his sons (by Aphrodite) Phobos and Deimos (Panic and Rout). Ares’ worship was largely in the northern areas of Greece, and his cult had many interesting local features.