To Ares, God of War #HymnsOfOrpheus

Translated by Catherine Proppe, June 4, 2015


65. Ἄρεος, θυμίαμα λίβανον.

To Ares
Divine connection: libanon (frankincense)


Ἄρρηκτ’, ὀμβριμόθυμε, μεγασθενές, ἄλκιμε δαῖμον,
Arising above the wreckage; torrential, impassioned, majestic, mighty Deity

ὁπλοχαρής, ἀδάμαστε, βροτοκτόνε, τειχεσιπλῆτα,
Armor-rejoicing, untamed, mortal-slaying stormer of walls

Ἆρες ἄναξ, ὁπλόδουπε, φόνοις πεπαλαγμένος αἰεί,
Ares![1] Commander of clashing armor, slaughtering ripening strength forevermore

αἵματι ἀνδροφόνωι χαίρων, πολεμόκλονε, φρικτέ,
Gory man-slayer, rejoicing in polemic turmoil’s frisson,

ὃς ποθέεις ξίφεσίν τε καὶ ἔγχεσι δῆριν ἄμουσον·
He who longs for sword ravaging and who finds hand-to-hand combat amusing,

στῆσον ἔριν λυσσῶσαν, ἄνες πόνον ἀλγεσίθυμον,
Bring on strife’s release! Relax grievous painful passions!

εἰς δὲ πόθον νεῦσον Κύπριδος κώμους τε Λυαίου
Incline yearnings toward the Kyprian’s[2] revels, then, too, set free an

ἀλλάξας ἀλκὴν ὅπλων εἰς ἔργα τὰ Δηοῦς,
Exchange of prowess in weapons for the work of Deos[3],

εἰρήνην ποθέων κουροτρόφον, ὀλβιοδῶτιν.
Eirene’s[4] peaceful yearning to nurture children, and whole life blessings.


[1] Ares is the immortal God of war, destruction, plague, and ruin.


[2] The Kyprian is Aphrodite, the immortal Goddess of love and sexual desire.


[3] Deos is Demeter, the immortal Goddess of agriculture.


[4] Eirene is the immortal Goddess of peace.