GRECIAN MYTHOLOGY. 103 
ingly in the Trojan war he took the part of the besieged, because their rude 
method of fighting suited his own genius; while Athene, conducting a 
more open and honorable strife, assisted the polished Greeks. In later 
times he was regarded as a helper of mortals, a protector of the just, an 
avenger of innocence, and as bestowing vigorous youth. His natural rude- 
ness rendered him disagreeable to the Olympic gods, yet during their con- 
test with the giants he served them successfully. 
A compact powerful frame, a strong fleshy neck, short and curly or 
bristling hair, rather small eyes, wide nostrils, and, as compared with the 
other sons of Zeus, a rather gloomy forehead, composed the principal 
features by which the artists expressed the ideal of Ares. He is usually 
represented without clothing, or at most wearing only the warrior’s cloak. 
His armor consists of the helmet, shield, spear, and sword. Destructive 
and carnivorous animals, particularly the wolf, were sacred to him. He 
was also partial to the horse for his strength, and to the dog and cock for 
their vigilance. Among the refined Greeks, Ares was never regarded as a 
favorite, and received far less homage than the other Olympic deities. In 
Sparta, however, where war. formed the chief business of life, his statue 
was secured by chains, so that the fortunes of battle might always be 
insured to the state. Very ancient works represent him with a close fitting 
coat of mail, tabard, greaves, spear, helmet, and shield (pl. 17, jig. 18); 
and jig. 20 shows a fine head of a bearded Ares, as seen on a coin of Meta- 
pontum in lower Italy, with the name of the magistrate Leukippos. A 
handsomely wrought bust of him exists, adorned with a sphinx and the 
figures of his sacred wolves ( jig. 19). In jig. 21 he is seen reposing after 
battle, apparently enjoying a peaceful frame of mind, the shield leaning by 
his side and a Cupid playing at his feet. 
Among the most celebrated of his numerous children we mention the 
twins Ztomulus and Remus, Harmonia, Eros, and Phobos and Deimos 
(Fear and Dismay), who harnessed his chariot, and in company with his 
sister Hvis attended him everywhere. 
10. Hermes (Mercury) was the son of Zeus and Maza daughter of Adlas, 
and played a conspicuous part in divine affairs. He was the god of artifice, 
inventions, and commerce; the patron of eloquence; and disclosed to man- 
kind the first principles of scientific knowledge. He fostered cunning and 
fraud; imparted the gifts of prophecy; arranged the sites for athletic 
exercises; introduced the use of sacrifices; was the messenger of the gods, 
and their legate in their controversies with men; and at death conducted 
the departed souls to the world of shades. At the movement of his wand 
he awakened the dead or sank the living to sleep. At the judgment-seat 
of Hades he stood as either the defender or accuser of the departed, accord- 
ing as he was commanded by the gods. He also taught men the art of reckon- 
ing; invented weights, measures, and money; showed the nature and prac- 
tice of amusing plays, and the method of strengthening the body; and, in full 
keeping with his character, taught the use of false games. He instructed 
princes in the art of concluding peace; but gave them also the mis- 
chievous power of so construing the ambiguous articles of a treaty as to 
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