Pan (God)
godPan was the goat-legged god of the wild, shepherds, and mountain meadows whose sudden appearance could cause "panic" — the irrational terror named after him.
The Myth
Pan had the legs, horns, and beard of a goat and the torso of a man. He played the syrinx (panpipes), which he invented after the nymph Syrinx fled his pursuit and was transformed into reeds. He dwelt in Arcadia and caused panic (panikon) in lonely places — the sudden, inexplicable terror travellers felt in wilderness. At Marathon, he appeared to the Athenians and caused panic among the Persians. He was the only Greek god said to have died: during the reign of Tiberius, a voice proclaimed "Great Pan is dead."
Children
Silenus (in some traditions)
Symbols
Fun Fact
"Panic" comes directly from Pan — the terror he caused in lonely places. "Pandemonium" (all demons) also echoes his name.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
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