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Faunus

Faunus

9.9
An ancient Roman god of nature, forests, and fertility
  • proper noun
  • /ˈfɔːnəs/
  • Literature
translation icon : Fauno
  • In Roman mythology, Faunus is revered as a guardian of nature and a symbol of fertility.

Examples

  • He began his first account by introducing Faunus, the king of the Latins, the inventor of plowing, and the father of lesser fauns, satyrs, pan, and silvans.

    Academic text (2001)
  • According to ancient texts, Faunus was often depicted with the features of a goat, resembling the Greek god Pan.

  • The festival of Lupercalia is held annually to honor Faunus, the god associated with agriculture and the woods.

Synonyms

Pan
vsFaunus
  • Literature
214 7.7

A Greek god of fields and woods who has goat legs and horns

is a Roman rural deity later equated with that Greek god
faun
vsFaunus
  • Literature
3 9.9

A creature from Roman myth that looks like a man with goat legs and horns

is the Roman nature deity linked with forests and fertility rather than creature form

Surface Forms

Faunus main

Etymology

Faunus is the name of a Roman nature god who protected forests, farm life and animals. His name gave us the English words fauna ('animals') and faun (a half-goat forest creature), so thinking of animals and woods helps you remember his role.