Originally posted by PalynkaMy hunch is that Ares is more primitive than Athena. Ares, the psychopath, is 'reformed' by Athena, who only fights in self-defence (unless nobody's looking).
That's the classic view, I guess. But the side-switching of Ares may be revealing. Of course, the Athenians would see themselves as righteous and so Athena would be behind them, but how to justify atrocity in war? Simple, just add a brainless side-switching thug. I'm, of course, making this all up as I go but it's an interesting thought.
Ares has a father and mother; Athena has only a father-mother (Zeus). What do you make of that?