The New Student's Reference Work/Satyrs

Satyrs (sā′tẽrs), in Greek myth, were a race of woodland deities, half human, half animal. They are generally described as roaming the hills in the train of Dionysus (Bacchus). They looked grotesque and repulsive. They were of robust build, with broad, snub noses, large, pointed ears, bristly and shaggy hair, rough skin, little horny knobs on their foreheads and small tails. They were fond of the woodland nymphs, of music, dancing, wine and sleep. They usually were hostile to man. The Roman poets regarded them as the fauns of their own myths, and gave them larger horns and goats' feet. Satyrs were often sculptured; for example, Praxiteles' famous Satyr at Athens.