Enyo (Ενυο) is the Goddess of war. She is the female counterpart and close companion of the Ares Enyalios and sometimes described as His lover. She was closely identified with Eris, the Goddess of strife. Hómēros, for example, does not appear to distinguish between the two Goddesses but other ancient writers do--more often as the centuries pass. Her parents are Zeus and Hera, and with Ares, she may be the parents of Enyalios (Ἐνυάλιος).
Khaos ------------ Gaea
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Ouranos --- |
Kronos --- Rhea
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Zeus --- Hera
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Enyo --- Ares
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Enyalios
As Goddess of war, Enyo is responsible for orchestrating the destruction of cities, often accompanying Ares into battle, and depicted as supreme in war. During the fall of Troy, Enyo inflicted terror and bloodshed in the war, along with Eris (Strife), Phobos (Fear) and Deimos (Dread), the two sons of Ares. She, Eris, and the two sons of Ares are depicted on Achilles’s shield.
Quintus Smyrnaeus (Kointos Smyrnaios, Κόϊντος Σμυρναῖος) was a Hellenic epic poet whose 'Posthomerica', following 'after Hómēros' continues the narration of the Trojan War. The dates of Smyrnaeus's life are controversial, but they are traditionally placed in the latter part of the 4th century AD. From Smyrnaeus, 'Fall of Troy' comes the following description of Her:
"Stalked through the midst [of the battle] deadly Enyo, her shoulders and her hands blood-splashed, while fearful sweat streamed from her limbs. Revelling in equal fight, she aided none, lest Thetis' or Ares' wrath be stirred." [8.286]
At Thebes and Orchomenos, a festival called Homolôïa, which was celebrated in honour of Zeus, Demeter, Athena and Enyo, was said to have received the surname of Homoloïus from Homoloïs, a priestess of Enyo. A statue of Enyo, made by the sons of Praxiteles, stood in the temple of Ares at Athens. In poetry, she is almost always described as being covered in blood, and either laughing madly, or smiling coldly as She beholds the battle.
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