The concept of a single "god of killing" varies significantly across different mythologies. There isn't one universally accepted figure. However, many pantheons feature deities associated with death, violence, and murder.
Deities Associated with Killing in Greek Mythology
In Greek mythology, there isn't one singular god specifically designated as the "god of killing." Instead, several deities held domains related to death, violence, and the underworld. For example, Thanatos personified death, but he was not necessarily a god of killing. He was the personification of death itself, not the act of causing it. Similarly, Keres were spirits of violent death, often depicted as attending to the battlefield to claim victims. These Keres are mentioned in the provided reference, PHONOI, which focuses on Greek spirits of murder and killing. They were not gods, but rather supernatural entities associated with violent death. Hades, ruler of the underworld, was associated with death but not necessarily with the act of killing.
- Thanatos: Personification of death.
- Keres: Spirits of violent death, closely related to killing, as mentioned in PHONOI.
- Ares: God of war and violence, often associated with bloodshed and killing, though his role was more about the act of war than the specific act of killing itself.
These figures highlight the nuance in ancient mythology. The act of killing wasn't always personified by a single deity; it was often distributed amongst several figures depending on the context.
Conclusion
The question of a singular "god of killing" necessitates understanding the diverse roles and responsibilities of deities across different mythologies. Several gods are associated with death and violence, but rarely with the singular act of killing itself.
