The Story of Deimos
Deimos was the god of dread and terror, a son of Ares and Aphrodite. His brother Phobos was the god of fear and panic. Together they rode into battle with their father, spreading dread among soldiers before the fighting began.
In the Iliad, when Ares rushed to avenge his son Ascalaphus, he ordered Deimos and Phobos to yoke his chariot horses. Hesiod describes the two brothers driving warriors into flight and following their father everywhere in war. Deimos stood for the cold dread that comes before battle, while Phobos was the panic that made armies run.
Deimos had little worship of his own and few stories. When the astronomer Asaph Hall discovered the two moons of Mars in 1877, he named them after the sons of Ares, whom the Romans called Mars. Deimos is the smaller and outer of the two moons.
Famous Myths About Deimos
Yoking the Horses of War
When Ares rushed to avenge his son in the Iliad, he ordered Deimos and Phobos to yoke his chariot horses. The brothers were his constant companions on every battlefield.
Deimos's Family Tree
Parents of Deimos
Partners of Deimos
Children of Deimos
Frequently Asked Questions About Deimos
Who is Deimos in Greek mythology?
Deimos is the god of dread and terror, who rode into battle with his father Ares.
Who are Deimos's parents?
Deimos is a son of Ares and Aphrodite, and his twin brother is Phobos, the god of fear.
Is the moon of Mars named after Deimos?
Yes. Mars, the Roman Ares, has two moons, and they are named Deimos and Phobos after his sons.
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