Satyrs

sat'ers, in Greek mythology, deities of the wood and field, supposed to be descendants of Hermes. The satyrs represent the luxuriant forces of nature, and appear in art as of vigorous frame, with bristly hair, and somewhat animal-like features. Often they are represented with horns and tail and with large, pointed ears. Hesiod mentions them as a worthless race, unfitted for labor. They were followers of Pan, and, as such, were fond of wine and of the dance. They were dreaded by mortals as were all sylvan deities. The Satyr of Praxiteles, representing a beautiful and graceful youth, is one of the most famous specimens of Greek sculpture. The Romans confounded the satyrs with their fauns and represented them as having the feet and legs of goats.