Kratos, the central figure of the God of War series, is one of the most iconic video game characters ever created. His transformation from a mortal Spartan warrior into the feared God of War is a tale deeply rooted in vengeance, betrayal, and divine intervention. The journey is complex, spanning multiple titles in the series, and involves Kratos confronting gods, titans, and his own inner demons. Understanding how Kratos ascended to godhood requires diving into the events of his past, his connections with the Greek pantheon, and the pivotal choices that led him to claim the divine title once held by Ares.
Kratos’s Mortal Origins
The Spartan Warrior
Kratos began his life as a mortal born in Sparta. From a young age, he displayed exceptional strength, brutality, and military talent. As an adult, he rose through the ranks to become a respected commander in the Spartan army. His unwavering loyalty to Sparta and his thirst for battle earned him a fearsome reputation, but also led him down a dark path that would change the course of his life forever.
The Pact with Ares
Kratos’s descent into servitude began when he found himself and his army overwhelmed by a barbarian horde. Facing certain death, he called upon Ares, the Greek God of War, offering his life in exchange for victory. Ares accepted and granted Kratos supernatural strength and combat abilities, sealing their pact. Kratos became the ultimate servant of war, wielding the Blades of Chaos magical chained weapons fused to his arms as a symbol of his bond with the god.
The Betrayal and the Curse
The Tragedy That Changed Everything
Under Ares’s command, Kratos committed countless atrocities. The worst of these occurred when Ares tricked him into killing his own wife and daughter during a raid on a village. The ashes of his family were magically bound to his skin, turning him pale and earning him the title Ghost of Sparta. This betrayal shattered Kratos and sparked a relentless desire for revenge against the very god he once served.
Breaking Free from Ares
Tormented by guilt, Kratos sought redemption by serving the other Olympian gods. He completed many dangerous tasks in their name, earning their favor. Yet, despite his service, the gods refused to relieve him of his nightmares. Eventually, Kratos was tasked with defeating Ares himself, who had grown too powerful and defied Zeus’s will.
The Battle for the Title of God of War
Retrieving Pandora’s Box
In the original God of War game, Kratos’s quest to kill Ares leads him to the Temple of Pandora, located on the back of the Titan Cronos. Inside lies Pandora’s Box, a powerful artifact capable of giving a mortal the strength to kill a god. After braving deadly traps and solving ancient puzzles, Kratos retrieves the box and returns to confront Ares in Athens.
The Death of Ares
With the power of Pandora’s Box unleashed, Kratos becomes strong enough to challenge Ares. After an intense and emotional battle, he defeats and kills the God of War. This victory, however, does not immediately bring him peace. Kratos attempts to end his own life by leaping from a cliff, but Athena intervenes and saves him.
Kratos’s Ascension
The New God of War
As a reward for killing Ares and saving Athens, Athena offers Kratos a place on Mount Olympus. He ascends as the new God of War, taking the throne of the very god he once served. This moment marks his official transformation from mortal to deity. However, his reign is far from peaceful.
A God Fueled by Vengeance
Unlike other gods, Kratos does not rule with divine detachment. His actions as a god remain heavily influenced by his mortal past. He uses his new power to aid Sparta and punish those he sees as enemies, including fellow gods and mortals alike. This brings him into conflict with Olympus, leading to greater consequences in the games that follow.
Falling Out with the Olympians
Zeus’s Betrayal
In God of War II, Kratos’s aggressive actions as a god provoke the wrath of Zeus. The king of the gods betrays Kratos by stripping him of his powers and killing him. Sent to the Underworld, Kratos is revived by the Titan Gaia, who offers him an alliance to destroy the Olympian gods. This betrayal mirrors his earlier experience with Ares, reinforcing Kratos’s distrust and rage against divine beings.
Seeking Revenge Once Again
Kratos’s journey continues as he seeks revenge against Zeus and the rest of Olympus. His motives shift from seeking peace to enacting total vengeance. By the time of God of War III, Kratos has become a destructive force aimed at dismantling the entire pantheon. He succeeds in killing most of the major gods, including Poseidon, Hades, Hera, and eventually Zeus.
Divinity and Identity
Kratos’s Godhood Questioned
Though Kratos clearly possesses the powers of a god, his identity is complicated. He retains a mortal’s emotions and memories, which contrast with the divine detachment of other Olympians. He is a god who suffers, regrets, and learns making him unique among his peers. His godhood is not just about power, but also about the burden of consequence.
Legacy Beyond Olympus
After destroying Olympus, Kratos disappears, believed to be dead. However, he resurfaces in the Norse realm in God of War (2018), where he lives a quieter life as a father. While the focus shifts to Norse mythology, his status as a god remains intact. He carries the knowledge and strength of his past but attempts to teach his son, Atreus, to avoid the same cycle of vengeance that defined his own godly path.
Lessons from Kratos’s Ascent
Power Born from Pain
Kratos’s transformation into a god was not born from ambition, but from pain. Every step on his path to godhood was paved with loss, betrayal, and sacrifice. Unlike many deities who are born into power, Kratos earns his through struggle. This makes his story both tragic and deeply human.
The Responsibility of Divinity
Kratos’s story challenges the idea that divine power comes with wisdom. He shows that godhood alone doesn’t make someone just or merciful. His journey illustrates that even gods must be held accountable for their actions, and that strength must be balanced with restraint and compassion lessons he eventually tries to pass on to Atreus.
A Mortal Among Gods
Kratos’s ascension to godhood is a central theme in the God of War series. His rise is not a celebration, but a cautionary tale of what happens when immense power is paired with unresolved rage. From a Spartan soldier to the God of War, Kratos has walked a path shaped by loss and revenge. His godhood is not just a title it’s a symbol of everything he’s endured. Yet, through all his battles, Kratos evolves, showing that even a god can change, grow, and seek redemption. His journey continues to captivate players because it reminds us that power, without purpose, can destroy but with wisdom, it can transform.