Ares, the Greek god of war, was depicted in two primary ways: as a mature, bearded warrior fully armed for battle, or as a nude, beardless youth with a helm and spear.
Here's a breakdown of his common depictions:
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Mature, Bearded Warrior: This representation emphasizes Ares's role as a god of war. He is typically shown with a beard, signifying maturity and power, and is fully equipped with armor, a helmet, and weapons, ready for combat. This imagery highlights his aggressive nature and martial prowess.
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Nude, Beardless Youth: This depiction presents a more youthful and idealized version of Ares. While still retaining elements of war, such as a helmet and spear, his nudity suggests vulnerability and perhaps even a more primal, instinctual approach to battle. The lack of a beard emphasizes his youth and possibly a less strategic, more impulsive style of warfare.
Essentially, Ares's appearance varied depending on the artist and the specific aspect of his character being emphasized – either the seasoned warrior or the impulsive, youthful embodiment of war.
