What Greek Gods Were on Which Sides in the Trojan War?

The Trojan War is one of the most famous conflicts in Greek mythology, involving not only mortal warriors but also Olympian gods. Each deity supported a side based on personal grievances, alliances, and their own strategic interests.

The Greek Side: An Alliance of Divine Powers

On the Greek side, three major gods played significant roles:

Hera and Athena: A Team of Strategic Support

Hera and Athena were the most prominent Greek deities supporting the Greeks. Hera, the queen of the gods, and Athena, the goddess of wisdom, were instrumental in the Greek victory. After the judgment of Paris, which favored the Trojans, Hera and Athena decided to take a more active role in the war. They were joined by Poseidon, the god of the sea, who was still holding a grudge against King Priam.

Hera persuaded Poseidon to join the Greeks by promising that she would ensure he gained an advantage over Zeus if he helped them. She knew that Poseidon had a desire to be Zeus's equal, alongside Hades. Their combined forces were a significant threat to the Trojans.

Poseidon: A Vengeful Supporter

Poseidon, the god of the sea, was a powerful ally for the Greeks. His role was driven by a desire for vengeance against King Priam, who had, according to some legends, refused to honor Poseidon's oracle. Poseidon's involvement would shore up the Greek forces, making them a formidable opponent.

The Trojan Side: A Coalition of Divine Supporters

The Trojan side also had its share of divine supporters:

Apollo, Artemis, and Aphrodite: The Champion of Troy

Apollo, the god of the sun, Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love, were key supporters of the Trojans. Their involvement was influenced by their personal ties and interests in the war. A very notable case was that of Aeneas, who was said to be a divine son of Aphrodite. Aeneas was known as the 'righteous foreigner,' a non-Greek who was seen as 'almost' Greek by the Greeks. His role in the war is significant, and his actions were often viewed as virtuous, in contrast to the actions of the Trojans like Paris.

Ares: The God of War

Ares, the god of war, was an early supporter of the Greeks, but later, he backed off when the Greeks showed significant respect and restored his priest's daughter. This suggests that Ares was more concerned with personal gains and the stability of the war's outcomes for himself.

The Role of Other Gods: Zeus and Hermes

Zeus, the king of the gods, played a complex role throughout the war. Initially, he was said to be neutral, but there are several passages indicating that he was deeply opposed to Troy and its leaders. His hatred for the dynasty of Priam was evident, and this stance influenced the war's course. Hermes, a messenger god, also supported the Greek side, albeit for reasons that remain unclear. Some speculate that Hermes wanted to be on the winning side.

The Mythological Echoes: Aeneas and His Legacy

One of the most intriguing aspects of the Trojan War is the character of Aeneas. As a son of Aphrodite, Aeneas played a crucial role in the war. Aeneas is often seen as a paragon of virtue, a 'righteous foreigner' according to Homer. He displayed proper respect for the dead and an honest, moral practice, such as ransoming captives. His actions were so virtuous that they were greatly expanded in Roman mythology, where he is depicted as a man who escorted his lame father from a burning home, a scene famous in Roman art, such as the statue 'Aeneas Carrying His Father' depicting him carrying his father Anchises.

Overall, the gods of Greek mythology played pivotal roles in the Trojan War, each with their own motives and alliances. Their involvement shaped the course of the war and its aftereffects, leaving a lasting legacy in Greek and Roman literature and art.