ΑΛΩΕΣ - The Aries in Ancient Greek Mythology In ancient Greek mythology, the zodiac sign of Aries is often associated with the ram, a powerful and agile animal that symbolizes bravery, leadership, and determination. The ancient Greeks believed that people born under this sign possess these traits and are natural-born leaders who strive for success and victory. The word Aries itself comes from ancient Greek, and it means "ram." In Greek mythology, the ram is closely associated with Zeus, the king of gods. According to legend, when Zeus was just a child, he was hidden away by his mother Rhea so that his father, Cronus, would not devour him as he had done with his siblings. To protect Zeus, Rhea gave the baby to a nymph named Adamanthea, who took care of him in a cave on Mount Ida. One day, while playing with the young god, Adamanthea was approached by the god Pan, who was known for his mischievous and impulsive nature. Pan wanted to play with Zeus, but the baby was afraid of the goat-legged god. To calm Zeus, Adamanthea brought him a young ram to play with. Zeus was fascinated by the animal's power and agility, and he played with the ram for many hours. As a token of his gratitude, Zeus placed the image of the ram in the sky, creating the constellation that we now know as Aries. In this constellation, the ram's head is represented by a group of stars that form a V-shape, while its body is made up of a series of faint stars that stretch towards Taurus, the bull. For the ancient Greeks, the constellation of Aries was a symbol of strength, boldness, and courage. They believed that people born under this sign were natural-born leaders who could achieve great success if they worked hard and were determined to succeed. Today, the zodiac sign of Aries still holds many of the same associations that it did in ancient Greek mythology. People born under this sign are often seen as bold, ambitious, and confident individuals who are not afraid to take risks in pursuit of their goals. While the ram may no longer roam the hillsides of Greece, its spirit lives on in those who are born under the sign of Aries.