Deimos

Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses for Kids - Deimos
The myths and legends surrounding Deimos, the Olympian Greek god of terror and dread

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

His name means 'terror' in Greek. Additional facts about the mythology of individual gods and goddesses of war and death can be accessed via the following links:

Gods and Deities

Greek Gods and Goddesses

Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses

 

 

Who was Deimos?
Deimos was one of the lesser Olympian gods, the son of Ares and Aphrodite. Deimos was the Greek personification of sheer terror, dread and battlefield defeat. His very name intimidated brave soldiers bringing visions of the horror of the battlefield, the consequences of war and the thought of defeat, the loss of honor and irrational behaviour during conflict. His association with Ares the god of war and Phobos the god of panic could cause an outward show of terror and dread on the battlefield resulting in warriors fleeing from the fight due to sheer, abject terror.

Greek Chariot

The brothers Deimos and Phobos were charged with the task of driving the chariot of Ares, the war god. According to ancient Greek mythology the war chariot was drawn by four gold bridled fire-breathing stallions who were called Aithon (Red-Fire), Phlogios (Flame), Konabos (Tumult) and Phobos (Panic and Flight).

Deimos, the Greek god of terror and dread

Aphrodite with her lover Ares

Picture of Ares with Aphrodite 
Deimos and the Gods of War
The Greek writer Hesiod in the Shield of Heracles named other Greek Gods of war and battle, who inspired the love of war, and the stirring and spilling of blood, including:

  • Eris (Battle-Strife)
  • Phobos (Panic and Fear)
  • Androktasia (Slaughter)
  • Kydoimos (Confusion)
  • The Keres (the Death Spirits)
  • Proioxis (Onrush)
  • Palioxis (Backrush)
  • Homados (Tumult)

The blood thirsty brother Phobos and Deimos were described by Hesiod, Theogony 933ff as "terrible gods who drive in disorder the close ranks of men in numbing war, with the help of Ares, sacker of towns.”

Deimos (Roman Counterpart was Formido or Metus)
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 Deimos, were therefore adopted by the Romans but were given Latin names. The Roman counterpart of Deimos was Formido or Metus.

Phobos, Deimos and Ares

Picture of a mosaic depicting Deimos, Phobos and Ares

Deimos Family Tree and Genealogy
Aphrodite is usually described as a gentle goddess, rather than a goddess of war. Her improbable union with Ares produces her war-like sons who epitomize not only the honor and glory or war but also the possible loss of loved ones during battles. The following Family Tree illustrates the genealogy family members and genealogy of Deimos, providing an overview of his six brothers and sisters: Phobos, Adrestia, Eros, Anteros, Himeros, Harmonia.

Ares & Aphrodite Family Tree and Genealogy

Deimos Family Tree and Genealogy

Deimos and the Dynasties of Greek Gods - Olympian Gods Family Tree & Genealogy
The facts about Deimos, the god of dread and terror 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, Deimos 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 Deimos

Deimos

  • Interesting information and Facts about the Deimos, Greek god of terror and dread
  • Stories and Legends in Greek Mythology associated with the ancient Greek god Deimos
  • Facts and information about the Gods and Deities of the Ancient World for schools and kids including Deimos
  • Deimos, the Greek god of terror and dread
 

 
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