Phobos

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Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses for Kids - Phobos
The myths and legends surrounding Phobos, the god of fear and panic

Phobos for kids
Discover the myths surrounding Phobos, the Olympian Greek god of fear and panic. The role of Phobos was the malevolent god of fear and panic who brought alarm, confusion and dismay to the battlefields of mortals. He was the son of Aphrodite and Ares the god of war. Phobos and his brother Deimos, god of dread and terror, accompanied Ares in battle instilling fear, terror and panic resulting in a loss of control during conflicts.

Phobos for kids
The word "phobia" meaning irrational fear derives from his name. Additional facts about the mythology of individual gods and goddesses can be accessed via the following links:

Gods and Deities

Greek Gods and Goddesses

Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses

 

 

Phobos, the Greek god of fear and panic

Greek Chariot

Who was Phobos?
Phobos was one of the lesser Olympian gods, the son of Ares and Aphrodite. He was the Greek personification of fear, flight and panic. Phobos personified panic, a sudden sensation of fear occurring in in individuals or large groups as mass panic, which is so strong that it prevents reason and logical thought, replacing it with overwhelming feelings of apprehension and frantic agitation. His association with Ares the god of war and Deimos the god of terror caused an outward show of fear and panic on the battlefield resulting in soldiers fleeing from the conflict due to abject terror. Phobos and Deimos were charged with the task of driving the chariot of Ares. According to ancient Greek mythology the chariot was drawn by four gold-bridled fire-breathing stallions who were called Aithon (Red-Fire), Phlogios (Flame), Konabos (Tumult) and Phobos (Fear). 

Aphrodite with her lover Ares

Picture of Ares with Aphrodite

Phobos and the Shield of Heracles (Hercules)
A description of Phobos is included by the Greek writer Hesiod, in the Shield of Heracles:

"In his hands he [Hercules] took his shield, all glittering: no one ever broke it with a blow or crushed it. And a wonder it was to see . . . In the centre was Phobos (Fear) worked in adamant, unspeakable, staring backwards with eyes that glowed with fire. His mouth was full of teeth in a white row, fearful and daunting..."

Phobos and the Gods of War
The description by Hesiod also included other Greek Gods of war and battle including:

  • Frightful Eris (Battle-Strife) who arrays the throng of men: pitiless she, for she took away the mind and senses of poor wretches who made war against the son of Zeus
  • Proioxis (Onrush)
  • Palioxis (Backrush)
  • Homados (Tumult)
  • Deimos (Terror)
  • Androktasia (Slaughter)
  • Kydoimos (Confusion)
  • The Keres (the Death Spirits)

Phobos (Roman Counterpart was Timor)
When the Roman Empire conquered the Greeks in 146BC, the Romans assimilated various elements from other cultures and civilisations, including the gods and goddesses that were worshipped by the Ancient Greeks. Many of the Greek gods and goddesses, such as Phobos, were therefore adopted by the Romans but were given Latin names. The Roman counterpart of Phobos was Timor.

Phobos, Deimos and Ares

Picture of a mosaic depicting Phobos, Deimos and Ares

Phobos Family Tree and Genealogy
The following Family Tree illustrates the genealogy family members and genealogy of Phobos, providing an overview of his six brothers and sisters: Deimos, Adrestia, Eros, Anteros, Himeros, Harmonia.

Ares & Aphrodite Family Tree and Genealogy

Phobos Family Tree and Genealogy

Phobos and the Dynasties of Greek Gods - Olympian Gods Family Tree & Genealogy
The facts about the god of panic and fear cannot be complete without the Olympian Gods Family Tree and the genealogy of these ancient deities from whom he descended.

Greek Gods Family Tree & Genealogy

According to Greek mythology, Phobos and the Ancient Greek gods and goddesses consisted of three major dynasties from different generations:

  • The First generation of Ancient Greek Gods
  • The Second generation were the Titans
  • The Third generation of were the famous Olympian gods who included Aphrodite and Ares, the mother and father of Phobos

Phobos

  • Interesting information and Facts about the Greek god of panic and phobias
  • Stories and Legends in Greek Mythology associated with the ancient Greek god Phobos
  • Facts and information about the Gods and Deities of the Ancient World for schools and kids
  • Phobos, the Greek god of fear and panic
 

 
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