Enyo (Greek: Ἐνυώ, “warlike”) was, according to Greek mythology, a goddess of war and destruction, companion and bedmate of the war god Ares. She is also identified as his sister, the daughter of Zeus and Hera, in a role closely resembling that of Eris (the goddess of chaos, discord, and strife). Homer, in particular, portrayed the two as the same goddess. She is also mentioned as the mother of the war god Enyalios, of whom Ares was the father. However, the name Enyalios can also be used as a title for Ares himself.
Destroying Cities
As a goddess of war, Enyo was responsible for orchestrating the destruction of cities. She often accompanied Ares into battle and was described as “outstanding in war.” During the fall of Troy, Enyo, along with Eris (“Strife”), Phobos (“Fear”), and Deimos (“Terror”), two of the sons of Ares, inflicted terror and bloodshed in the war. She, Eris, and the two sons of Ares were depicted on Achilles’ shield.
Warlike Enthusiasm
Enyo was also involved in the war of the Seven Against Thebes and in Dionysus’ war against the Indians. Enyo was so enthusiastic about war that she refused to take sides in the conflict between Zeus and the monster Typhon:
“Eris (Strife) was Typhon’s companion in the fray, Nike (Victory) led Zeus in battle… impartial Enyo maintained an equal balance between the two sides, between Zeus and Typhon, while the thunderbolts roared, sounding like a dance in the sky.”
Mentions
The Romans identified Enyo with their goddess Bellona, and she also had similarities with the Anatolian goddess Ma.
At Thebes and Orchomenus in Boeotia, there was a festival called Homolôïa, celebrated in honor of Zeus, Demeter, Athena, and Enyo. It was said to derive its name Homoloïos from Homoloïs, a priestess of Enyo. A statue of Enyo, crafted by the sons of the sculptor Praxiteles, stood in the temple of Ares in Athens. Among the Graeae (three dreadful sisters), Hesiod mentioned that one of them was named Enyo, while the other two were Deino (“Fear”) and Pemfredo (“Dismay”).
According to Homer
Hector perceived them in battle order and rushed upon them, crying out, and the strong phalanxes of the Trojans followed with him. Ares and the venerable Enyo led them on, bringing discord and reckless slaughter, while Ares wielded in his grasp a huge spear, raging with insatiable, warlike fury. At one time, he followed Hector; at other times, he ranged up and down before him.
Sometimes, however, Enyo is mentioned as the sister or even the mother of Ares. In antiquity, Enyo was depicted as bloodthirsty and involved in scenes of violence, as seen in the “Shield of Heracles.” At times, she is referred to as one of the Graeae, daughters of Phorcys and Ceto.
According to Hesiod
Phorcys and Ceto brought forth the Graeae, fair-cheeked women, at birth gray from the beginning, whom the gods and men who walk on the earth call Graeae, Pemphredo robed in beauty and Enyo clad in saffron, and the Gorgons who dwell beyond glorious Ocean in the frontier land towards Night where are the clear-voiced Hesperides, Sthenno, Euryale, and Medusa suffering her fate. She was mortal, while the other two were immortal and ageless; yet all were clothed with the same garments. And beside the Gorgons she has beside her the Kyanochaites in a soft meadow with spring flowers.
Enyo is first mentioned by Homer (Iliad V. 333 & 592), along with Athena and Ares, describing her as “sacker of cities” and “venerable.” The Roman equivalent of Enyo is the deity Bellona.
Featured Image: Bellona (Roman goddess of war), by Jean Goujon.
