by M. Lee

Created on: February 14, 2010   Last Updated: February 15, 2010

Mythological Creatures: Satyrs

Satyrs are mythological creatures most commonly associated with the sex drive and are prevalent in both Greek and Roman mythology. It was said that satyrs were a troop of male companions that accompanied Dionysus and Pan, roaming the woods and mountains. Ancient artists often portrayed satyrs with perpetual erections primarily for their association with sex and the sex drive.

As the deities of the woods and mountains, satyrs are half beast and half human with a goat’s tail, flanks, and hooves. The upper part of the body would be human though they would sport goat horns on the head. Additionally, they would feature flat noses, pointed ears, and long curly hair. 

Most of them would have beards and wear crowns of ivy or vine. Because they were so closely associated with Dionysus, the god of wine, satyrs were constantly drinking, dancing, and chasing nymphs (and women).

Though it is commonly thought that the satyrs were the attendants of Dionysus and the deities of the woods, others speculate that that theory may not necessarily be true. Alternate theories suggest that satyrs were red-haired savages living on a collection of islands in the Mediterranean Sea that would often attack sailors and rape their women. The violent nature of satyrs is not usually widely known or discussed.

Satyrs thought deities were a mortal race and could be killed. However, that didn’t stop them from helping the gods in various wars and tasks. Despite being aids to the gods in war, they were known for their parties – perhaps due to their association with Dionysus. Very mischievous, they are depicted in art as frequently frolicking and sleeping (as all the partying can really become tiring).

In general, satyrs were described as faint-hearted but roguish, subversive and dangerous, and shy and cowardly. They love wine and women and are always ready for physical pleasure. Constantly dancing, satyrs would move along to the sounds of pipes, castanets and cymbals. Their special form of dance was known as sikinnis. 

In early ancient Greek art, satyrs were represented as old and ugly. Later schools depicted them as young and jovial. Old satyrs are called sileni while their young are known as satyrisci. 

The ancient Roman satyrs appeared very similarly to their Greek counterparts. Though they appear similar between the two ancient cultures, their uses in literature and theatre were slightly different.

It is from satyrs that the word satire originates and its use in literature and theatre. The Greeks had satyr plays which were usually light-hearted follow-ups to tragedies, usually featured in Athenian festivals honoring Dionysus. 

The tragedies often explored serious and disturbing subject matter so satyr plays were a welcome change. Very few satyr plays have survived. In fact, the only complete play that remains is Euripides’ “Cyclops.” Only fragments of Sophocles’ “Ichneutae” (“The Tracking Satyrs”) still exist. 

Aeschylus was known for his groundbreaking satyr plays, but none have been found in modern times. Roman satire was light-hearted but with deeper meaning, as many scholars would attest. The Romans used satyrs as a vehicle for subversive social commentary and political criticism.

A list of well-known satyrs:

Astraeus
Cissus
Gemon
Lamis
Leneus
Lycon
Lycus
Oestrus
Petraeus
Pithos
Satyr
Silenus
Thiasus

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