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Silenus

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Silenus

In Greek mythology, an aged satyr, son of Hermes or Pan, and companion of Dionysus. He is represented as jovial, fat, lecherous, and drunk, and had a reputation for song and prophecy.

Unable to trust his own legs, he is generally depicted riding on an ass or supported by other satyrs, and always carries a wine skin. When in a drunken sleep, mortals might compel him to prophesy and sing by binding him with chains of flowers.

In one tradition Silenus, having been captured, granted Midas his desire to turn everything he touched to gold; the god Dionysus withdrew the gift at the king's request when it proved to be a curse.



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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
With a slight turn of the head the glitter of the spectacles seemed to gauge the size of the beer saloon in the basement of the renowned Silenus Restaurant.
The Secret Agent by Conrad, Joseph View in context
And moreover I shall not hold it any dishonour to be so mounted, for I remember having read how the good old Silenus, the tutor and instructor of the gay god of laughter, when he entered the city of the hundred gates, went very contentedly mounted on a handsome ass.
Don Quixote by Cervantes, Miguel View in context
In these so-called books, the chief lover, or Greek god, as he is admiringly referred to--by the way, they do not say which "Greek god" it is that the gentleman bears such a striking likeness to; it might be hump-backed Vulcan, or double-faced Janus, or even driveling Silenus, the god of abstruse mysteries.
Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow by Jerome, Jerome K. View in context
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