After Aegina was destroyed by plague, Aeacus begged Zeus to repopulate his island. The Greek god responded by turning a colony of ants into hard-working men who were afterwards known as Myrmidons. These men had various ant-like characteristics. They diligently farmed the soil and followed their leaders into battle with great fury and unquestioning loyalty. Achilles led the Myrmidons into battle during the Trojan War.
Many superstitions revolve around ants.
These insects are observed as an aid to divination. In America ants are believed to presage rain, prosperity, and hard winters. In Bambara wells are dug on top of anthills since ants are thought to know where the best water is. The stings of ants are believed to drive off demons. The Aruntas of Australia think that a medicine man's powers will be destroyed if he is bitten by a bulldog ant.