Phobia is a noun and defined as an exaggerated, usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object.
Phobia is one of the many words in the English language that has its roots in Greek mythology. In this case, the word phobia derived from Phobos, the personification of fear and panic.
Although little is mentioned about Phobos, he usually appears as an assistant to his father Ares, the Greek god of courage and war. In history, Alexander the Great is said to have offered sacrifices to Phobos the night before the Battle of Gaugamela to instill fear in Darius III. This intimidation factor seemed to be successful because Darius III fled from battle making Alexandar victorious.
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Source
Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, s.v. “phobia.”
Phobos (mythology)
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