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Greek Mythology >> Greek Gods >> Rustic Gods >>Satyrs >> Phales

PHALES

Greek Name

Φαλης

Transliteration

Phalês

Latin Spelling

Phales

Translation

Phallic (phallos)

PHALES was the rustic spirit (daimon) or satyr demi-god of the processional phallus and the phallic song (phallikon) of the festivals of Dionysos. Aristiphanes, surely in jest, calls him the god of adultery and pederasty.

Phales was connected with the phallic Dionysos, the phallic Hermes, and the daimones Tykhon, Konisalos and Orthanes. He also resembled the god Priapos.


PARENTS

Perhaps HERMES or DIONYSOS though nowhere stated


CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Aristophanes, Acharnanians 263 ff (trans. O'Neill) (Greek comedy C5th to 4th B.C.) :
"I will follow, singing the Phallic hymn; thou, wife, look on from the top of the terrace. Forward! (He sings) Oh, Phales, companion of the orgies of Bakkhos (Bacchus), night reveller, god of adultery and of pederasty . . . How much sweeter, oh Phales, Phales, is it to surprise Thrakian (Trhacian) slave-girl of Strymodorus, stealing wood from Mount Phelleus, to catch her under the arms, to throw her, on the ground and lay her, Oh, Phales, Phales!"


SOURCES

GREEK

BIBLIOGRAPHY

A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.