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The Satyrs
There is a story that Euphemus, passing from Caria to the
extreme parts of the ocean, discovered many desert islands,
and being forced by tempestuous weather to land upon one of
them, called Satyrida, he found inhabitants covered with
yellow hair, having tails not much
less than horses. We are
likewise told, that in the expedition which Hanno the
Carthaginian made to the parts of Lybia lying beyond
Hercules' pillars, they came to a great bay called the
Western Horn, in which was an island where they could find
or see nothing by day-light but woods, and yet in the night
they observed many fires, and heard an incredible and
astonishing noise of drums and trumpets; whence they
concluded that a number of Satyrs abode there.
It is pretended there really were such monsters as the
pagans deified under the name of Satyrs; and one of them, it
is said, was brought to Sylla, having been surprised in his
sleep. Sylla ordered him to be interrogated by people of
different countries, to know what language he spoke; but the
Satyr only answered with cries, not unlike those of goats
and the neighing of horses. This monster had a human
body, but the thighs, legs, and feet of a goat. To the above
stories may be added that of the Satyr who passed the
Rubicon in presence of Caesar and his whole army.
The Satyrs of the ancients were the ministers and attendants
of Bacchus. Their form was not the most inviting; for though
their countenances were human, they had horns on their
foreheads, crooked hands, rough and hairy bodies, feet and
legs like a goat's, and tails which resembled those of
horses. The shepherds sacrificed to them the firstlings of
their flocks, but more especially grapes and apples; and
they addressed to them songs in their forests by which they
endeavored to conciliate their favor. When Satyrs arrived at
an advanced age they were called Sileni.
The Satyrs
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