This was a floor mosaic in the city of Antioch (modern Turkey) and would have indicated the homeowners interest in a good, raucous, wine-fueled party.
Bacchus was the son of Zeus and the God of wine, fertility, and partying, so it goes without saying that he had high standards for his entourage. His Satyrs weren’t the “life of the party” - that distinction was reserved for Bacchus alone, however, they were definitely party facilitators.
Satyrs were depicted as having the upper body of a human and the lower body of a goat, with horns on their heads and pointed ears. They often wore garlands (like this chap) and were known for their love of music, dancing, and revelry. These man-goats could be found jamming on pan flutes or the lyre, and were believed to be able to inspire people to let go of their inhibitions and join in the festivities. They were often used as a symbol of the untamed, wild, and instinctual aspects of human nature.
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