satyry

Satyry, in English usually rendered as satyrs, are male nature spirits in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. They are typically depicted as humanoid beings with goat-like features, including horns, tails, and cloven hooves, and they inhabit mountains, forests, and pastoral landscapes. The term derives from the Greek satyros; in Polish the form satyry is used for the plural.

In Greek myth, satyrs are followers of Dionysus, the god of wine, revelry, and ecstasy. They are associated with rustic music (pipes and flutes), hunting, and unrestrained appetites. They often attend Dionysian processions and accompany the party with boisterous merriment; some stories describe pursuit of nymphs and mischief.

In literature and drama, the satyr plays of classical Athens used a chorus of satyrs to provide comic relief at the end of a tetralogy; Euripides' Cyclops is a well-known example. In Roman culture, they are commonly equated with fauns. The figure also appears in Renaissance art and later fantasy literature and games, sometimes with variations that emphasize either lasciviousness or pastoral humor. Pan, while goat-like, is a distinct deity sometimes conflated with satyrs.