Pan the God
The great Arcadian god Pan is probably one of the most well known gods in Greek history. Everyone has heard of Pan, and would more than likely recognize him if they saw him today. His unmistakable physique distinguished him from all other gods: "He had the feet of a goat, two horns on his forehead, loved noise and dancing, was hairy, dirty, lusty, ugly, and disheveled; yet, in his own way he was a charming creature" (Carpenter and Gula, 103). He was considered a lesser divinity of Earth, the god of woods and fields. Pan was very of the people, and was particularly fond of shepherds. He was considered their special protector; in a general sense he was a divinity of the country, of sheep, goats, and other grazing flocks, of forests, valleys, hills, and glens (Carpenter and Gula, 103). He was, on the whole, easy-going and lazy, loving nothing better than his afternoon nap, and revenged himself on those who disturbed him with a sudden loud shout from a grove, or grotto, which made the hair bristle on their heads, hence where the word panic is said to have been derived from (Graves,101).Pan was the son of Hermes, the Roman god Mercury, who also had duties as protector of flocks and herds, and was the foste
So Pan pursued the chaste Syrinx from Mount Lycaeum to the River Ladon in western Arcadia, where she could no longer flee the pursuing Pan. What a catastrophe that Pan died, although it wasn't noted how, so how can one really be sure that Pan is dead? Perhaps Apollo, or some other god jealous of Pan's appeal to the people captured him and proclaimed to Thamus that Pan was dead. Pan was enchanted by these sounds, being the musician that he was, so he decided to preserve them. Shrines in honor of Pan were constructed everywhere, including a hidden shallow cave under the Acropolis. How could any goddess fall for Pan one might ask? Pan disguised his hairy black goatishness with well-washed white fleeces. Pan was often referred to by other gods as the youngest, but in all actuality, he was probably among the oldest, having first been worshipped in Arcadia as early as the sixth century BC. He was considered a favorite and a delight to all the gods. He cut several different lengths of the reeds, varying from short to long, and fastened the together with a base of wax, to keep forever with him. Pan played first, providing the rough chords of his flute, and Apollo followed, playing the sweet chords of his lyre. A divine voice shouted across the sea: 'Thamus, are you there? When you reach Palodes, take care to proclaim that the great god Pan is dead!' which Thamus did; and the news was greeted from those on the shore with groans and laments (Graves, 102). Most tragically, Pan is the only god to have died in our time. This seduction of Selene is said to refer to a moonlight May Eve orgy, in which the young Queen of the May rode upon her upright man's back before celebrating a greenwood marriage with him (Graves, 103).
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