Ares, in Greek mythology, the god of war and son of Zeus, king of the gods, and his wife Hera. The Romans identified him with Mars, also a god of war. Aggressive and sanguinary, Ares personified the brutal nature of war, and was unpopular with both gods to humans. Among the deities associated with Ares were his consort, Aphrodite, goddess of love, and minor deities as Deimos (Fear) and Phobos (Terror), who accompanied him in battle. Although fierce and warlike, Ares was not invincible, even against mortals.