Who was silenos?
Silenus was a companion of the god of wine Dionysus in Greek mythology. He was much older than the satyrs, followers of the god, and had the characteristics of a horse rather than a goat. A group of Dionysus’ followers was also named Sileni (plural), their most notable characteristic being that they were drunk.
What was Silenus philosophy?
A theme in Greek philosophy and literature is the wisdom of Silenus, which posits an antinatalist philosophy: Pertinently to this they say that Midas, after hunting, asked his captive Silenus somewhat urgently, what was the most desirable thing among humankind.
What does Silenus mean?
Definition of silenus : a minor woodland deity and companion of Dionysus in Greek mythology with a horse’s ears and tail.
What kind of being was Silenus?
main reference. Silenus, in Greek mythology, creatures of the wild, part man and part beast, who in Classical times were closely associated with the god Dionysus. Their Italian counterparts were the Fauns (see Faunus).
Is silenus a god?
SEILENOS (Silenus) was the old rustic god of wine-making and drunkenness. He was the foster-father of the god Dionysos who was entrusted to his care by Hermes after his birth from the thigh of Zeus.
How is Seilenos related to the demon Silenus?
Undoubtedly, Seilenos presides over other demons and is related to musical creativity, prophetic ecstasy, drunken joy, drunken dances and gestures. The original Silenus resembled a folkloric man of the forest, with the ears of a horse and sometimes also the tail and legs of a horse.
What did Silenus do when he was intoxicated?
When intoxicated, Silenus was said to possess special knowledge and the power of prophecy. The Phrygian King Midas was eager to learn from Silenus and caught the old man by lacing a fountain with wine from which Silenus often drank.
What was the philosophy of Silenus of Phrygia?
Silenus shared with the king a pessimistic philosophy, according to which “the best thing for a man is not to be born, and if already born, to die as soon as possible”. An alternative story was that when lost and wandering in Phrygia, Silenus was rescued by peasants and taken to Midas, who treated him kindly.
Where did the name Silenus come from in Plautus?
Silenus refers to the satyrs as his children during the play. Silenus may have become a Latin term of abuse around 211 BC, when it is used in Plautus’ Rudens to describe Labrax, a treacherous pimp or leno, as “…a pot-bellied old Silenus, bald head, beefy, bushy eyebrows, scowling, twister, god-forsaken criminal”.