Is Kratos made up? The Untold Story Behind God of War‘s Iconic Protagonist

Kratos. The name instantly evokes images of a fierce, ashen-skinned warrior ruthlessly tearing mythical beasts and gods apart in bloody combat. As the iconic protagonist of the acclaimed God of War franchise, Kratos has slashed and smashed his way into gaming legend since first appearing in 2005. But is this symbol of brutality and vengeance based on an actual figure from ancient Greek mythology as his name suggests?

Let‘s unravel the truth behind the Ghost of Sparta and how he went from a minor Greek deity to one of video gaming‘s most recognizable characters. Grab an extra stack of health potions, things might get messy!

The Real Deal Kratos – A Lesser Known Greek God

Contrary to what some may believe, Kratos was not a total fabrication by the creative minds over at Sony‘s Santa Monica Studio. There was in fact a minor Greek god or divine spirit named Kratos (also spelled Cratus) in mythology. He represented strength, power and force, and was the son of Pallas and Styx.

In the plays Prometheus Bound and Prometheus Unbound by the ancient poet Aeschylus, Kratos and his siblings Bia (force), Nike (victory) and Zelus (zeal) are summoned by Zeus to chain the disobedient Titan Prometheus. So while not one of the Olympian gods, this Kratos was recognized as an embodiment of might and valor.

But here‘s the crazy part – the creators of the first God of War game had no clue about this relatively obscure Greek deity! They coincidentally picked the name Kratos, which means "strength" in Greek, perfectly befitting the superhuman warrior they had envisioned. A wild coincidence for sure!

Becoming the Ghost of Sparta: The Tragic Origins of a Gaming Icon

Although loosely drawing from Greek myths, the backstory of the Kratos we play is mostly original fiction. According to God of War lore, Kratos was once a fierce Spartan general leading his army to bloody victories. But after his men were slaughtered by barbarians, a desperate Kratos pledged himself as a champion to Ares, the Greek god of war.

Big mistake. Tricked by Ares, Kratos accidentally killed his own wife and daughter while destroying a temple dedicated to Athena. The ashes of his loved ones covered his skin, turning it pale white and earning him the title "Ghost of Sparta". Ouch.

Kratos then sought revenge against Ares as the gods granted him special powers and weapons to defeat their renegade brother. Thus began an epic quest spanning multiple games to take vengeance first on Ares, then the gods of Olympus, and eventually his father Zeus himself. Along the way, Kratos slays mythical beasts like Medusa, the Hydra and more while unleashing some seriously brutal finishing moves.

The tortured antihero has since evolved from his single-minded pursuit of vengeance to eventually embrace his humanity and paternal side. In the recent God of War sequel, an older Kratos even finds redemption through protecting his son Atreus.

Blades, Blades and More Blades: Kratos‘ Vast Arsenal of Mayhem

Part of what makes Kratos such an uncompromising badass is the insane variety of demon-slaying weapons he wields, many inspired by Greek myth. Let‘s take a quick tour through the Ghost of Sparta‘s most iconic arms:

• Blades of Chaos – Given to him by Ares, these iconic double chained blades can be lit on fire and used to eviscerate foes up close. Brutally efficient!

• Blade of Artemis – This massive sword once belonged to the goddess Artemis herself. Nothing quite like impaling a cyclops with a 7-foot long divine blade!

• Blade of Olympus – Forged by Zeus, this powerful sword can dispatch both Titans and gods with ease. Kratos killed the Colossus of Rhodes and his own father Zeus using it!

• Nemean Cestus – These wicked metal gauntlets once worn by Hercules augment Kratos‘ already insane strength. Turns out they make pretty effective boxing gloves against gorgons!

• Boots of Hermes – Allowing for super speed and acrobatic moves, these winged boot replicas help Kratos live up to his demigod status.

• Icarus Wings – With feathers plucked from Daedalus‘ famous wax wings, Kratos can briefly take flight to rain down death from above.

That‘s just a sample of the deadly mystical arsenal Kratos has wielded over the years. With his penchant for collecting powerful weapons and smashing them against all manner of vile creatures, it‘s no wonder why he‘s gaming‘s definitive god of war.

By the Numbers: Kratos‘ Rise to Gaming Glory

The ascendance of Kratos from an obscure Greek mythological figure to a household name in gaming was far from assured. But the numbers speak for themselves:

• Over 51 million God of War games sold worldwide across the franchise

• Launch week sales of 3.1 million units for God of War (2018) on Playstation 4

• Average critical review score of 94% for God of War (2018) on Metacritic

• Ranked as the 12th top video game protagonist by IGN in 2016

• Appeared as a guest character in 2012‘s PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale fighting game

• 2 BAFTA awards for the God of War series including Best Game in 2018

It‘s clear that Kratos has left an indelible mark on gaming history. Fans can‘t seem to get enough of his brooding antihero appeal and visceral combat style. Kratos was a relatable, flawed protagonist before that became standard practice.

For me personally, the God of War games will always be emblematic of the best that action gaming has to offer thanks to their stunning set pieces and heart-pounding boss fights. And Kratos is the fiery, rage-filled yet compelling heart that keeps me coming back. He‘s a gaming icon through and through.

So in closing, while Kratos the demigod shares his name with the actual Greek god of strength, he is very much an original Sony creation. The Ghost of Sparta has hacked, smashed, and pummeled his way into legend by beautifully adapting Greek mythology for modern gaming. I don‘t know about you, but I can‘t wait to see what else this gaming giant-slayer has in store for us!