Ella Walter
Pan can refer to a Greek god or a genus of great apes. The Greek god Pan is a rustic deity associated with shepherds, hunters, and the wilds. He is often depicted as having goat-like features, including goat's feet and horns. The name of the character Peter Pan may be a reference to the Greek god, as Peter is described as being betwixt and between, part animal and part human. On the other hand, the genus Pan includes two species of great apes: the common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and the bonobo (Pan paniscus). These two species are the closest living evolutionary relatives to humans, sharing a common ancestor around four to six million years ago.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of species | 2 |
| Species names | Chimpanzee (P. troglodytes), Bonobo (P. paniscus) |
| Habitat | North of the Congo River (Chimpanzee), South of the Congo River (Bonobo) |
| Height | Up to 1.2m (Chimpanzee), Up to 1.7m (Bonobo) |
| Weight | 40-60kg (Male Chimpanzee), 27-50kg (Female Chimpanzee), Up to 70kg (Male Bonobo) |
| Diet | Fruit, Vegetation, Bark, Honey, Insects, Monkeys, Other Chimpanzees |
| Social structure | Large multi-male and multi-female social groups |
| Intelligence | Capable of "incipient romantic love", Curiosity towards other wildlife, Altruism, "Pretend play" |
| Communication | Vocalizations, Hand gestures, Facial expressions |
| Genus | Hominid |
| Ancestor | Dryopithecus |
| Worshipped as | God of shepherds, hunters, and the wilds |
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What You'll Learn
Pan, the Greek god
Pan is usually depicted as a hybrid creature with the horns, legs, and tail of a goat, a thick beard, a snub nose, pointed ears, and a human torso. This bestial form has led to his association with other rustic deities, including the pipe-playing Phrygian satyr Marsyas and the goat-fish god Aegipan or Aigipan. Pan is also closely linked with the Roman god Faunus, a nature god who was the father of Bona Dea, sometimes identified as Fauna.
The worship of Pan originated in Arcadia, where he was revered in natural settings such as caves or grottoes, rather than temples. The only known exceptions are the Sanctuary of Pan on the Neda River in the Peloponnese and the Temple of Pan at Apollonopolis Magna in ancient Egypt. Pan's image appeared on the coinage of Pantikapaion in the fourth century BC, and an altar dedicated to him was discovered in the walls of a Byzantine church in Banyas, dating back to the second or third century AD.
Pan's parentage is a subject of debate, with various authors attributing different parents to him. Some sources claim he is the son of Hermes and a daughter of Dryops, Penelope, or Oeneis, while others suggest he is the offspring of Zeus and Thymbris, Cronus, or a nymph named Hybris. Still, other accounts describe Pan as the son of Aether, Uranus, Ge, or even all the suitors of Penelope in common.
In literature and art, Pan has appeared in various works, including Pindar's Pythian Ode iii. 78, where he is associated with a mother goddess, and Hellenistic bucolic literature. He is also a prominent character in Tom Robbins' "Jitterbug Perfume" and has been referenced in children's books and Peter Pan stories, where Peter represents a golden age of pre-civilisation.
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Portrayed as half-man, half-goat
In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Pan is a rustic god of the wild, shepherds, and flocks. He is usually portrayed as half-man, half-goat, with the hindquarters, legs, horns, and smell of a goat. He is also often depicted carrying a pan-pipe, which he created after a nymph named Syrinx turned into reeds to escape him.
Pan is believed to be derived from the reconstructed Proto-Indo-European god *Péh₂usōn, who is thought to have been an important pastoral deity. The name Pan is also a Greek prefix meaning "all", and he may have once been a more powerful, all-encompassing figure. In addition to his role as a rustic god, Pan is also considered a sea-god, a healer of epidemics, and an oracle-god.
Pan was worshipped in natural settings, usually in caves or grottoes, rather than in temples or other built structures. The only exceptions are the Sanctuary of Pan in the Neda River gorge in the southwestern Peloponnese and the Temple of Pan at Apollonopolis Magna in ancient Egypt.
In literature, Pan appears in the Percy Jackson novels, where he is revealed to be in a state of half-death. He also features as a prominent character in Tom Robbins' Jitterbug Perfume (1984).
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The god of shepherds, hunters and the wilds
Pan, the ancient Greek god of shepherds, hunters, and the wilds, is often depicted as half-man, half-goat. His homeland is rustic Arcadia, where he wanders the forests, playing his flute and chasing nymphs.
Pan is a nature god, and his appearance symbolises nature and fertility. He is the god of fields, groves, wooded glens, and is often associated with sex. He is the protector of animals and is credited with inventing the pan flute. He is also the tutelary god of ancient Arcadia. Satyrs, centaurs, and fauns are creatures associated with him.
Pan is the son of Hermes and an unnamed nymph or a daughter of Dryops. Some accounts regard him as the son of Zeus and a nymph, or as the offspring of Odysseus's wife, Penelope, after she was unfaithful to him. In Pseudo-Plutarch's De defectu oraculorum, Pan is the only Greek god who dies.
Pan is often depicted in Greek art as a god with the upper body of a man and the lower body of a goat, with a beard, horns, pointed ears, and hooves. His unseen presence aroused panic in those who traversed his realm, and the word "panic" comes from the Greek word "panikos", derived from Pan.
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The origin of the word 'panic'
The word "panic" is derived from the name of the ancient Greek god Pan (or Panas), who was believed to cause humans to flee in maddening fear. The Greeks believed that Pan wandered peacefully through the woods, playing a pipe. However, when accidentally awakened from his noontime nap, he could let out a great shout that would cause flocks to stampede. This aspect of Pan's nature led Greek authors to derive the word "panikos", meaning ""sudden fear", which is the ultimate source of the English word "panic".
In ancient Greek mythology, Pan is considered one of the oldest Greek gods. He is the god of nature, shepherds, flocks, and the wild, and his unseen presence is said to have aroused panic in those who traversed his realm. Pan is often depicted as a bacchanalian deity, given to the constant pursuit of revelry and female companionship. However, he also had a more ferocious side. For example, during the battle between the ancient Greek gods and a horde of giants, Pan's overwhelming shout instilled fear in the gods' opponents, aiding in their victory.
The word "panic" has evolved over time, taking on different meanings and nuances. In the early 20th century, "panic" took on a distinct new meaning: "something very funny". This evolution of the word reflects the dual nature of the god Pan, who could provoke both merriment and fear.
The concept of panic holds significant relevance in various fields, including psychology and emergency services. In psychology, panic attacks are recognised as intense periods of fear and discomfort, which can be triggered or occur unexpectedly. Additionally, the idea of mass panic, where panic spreads among a multitude of people, has been studied and applied in fields such as emergency planning and armed forces training.
While the word "panic" originates from the ancient god Pan, it is interesting to note that the word "pan" is also used in the scientific nomenclature of chimpanzees and bonobos. The genus name "Pan" for these great apes was inspired by the Greek god Pan, reflecting their shared connection to nature and instinctual behaviour.
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Pan, the chimpanzee genus
The genus Pan consists of two extant species: the chimpanzee and the bonobo. The name "Pan" is derived from the Greek god Pan. The chimpanzee was named Simia troglodytes by Johann Friedrich Blumenbach in 1776. The species name "troglodytes" is a reference to the Troglodytae, an African people described by Greco-Roman geographers. The bonobo, in the past also referred to as the "pygmy chimpanzee", was given the species name "paniscus" by Ernst Schwarz in 1929. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, chimpanzees and bonobos are currently found in the Congo jungle, while the chimpanzee is also found in West Africa. Both species are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The chimpanzee (P. troglodytes), which lives north of the Congo River, and the bonobo (P. paniscus), which lives south of it, were once considered to be the same species. However, since 1928, they have been recognized as distinct. Based on genome sequencing, these two extant Pan species diverged around one million years ago. The most obvious differences are that chimpanzees are larger, more aggressive, and male-dominated, while bonobos are more peaceful and female-dominated. Their hair is typically black or brown. Males and females differ in size and appearance. Both chimpanzees and bonobos are some of the most social great apes, with social bonds occurring throughout large communities. Fruit is the most important component of a chimpanzee's diet, but they will also eat vegetation, bark, honey, insects, and even other chimpanzees or monkeys.
Chimpanzees and bonobos are equally humanity's closest living relatives. They use a variety of sophisticated tools and construct elaborate sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage. Their learning abilities have been extensively studied, and there may even be distinctive cultures within populations. Field studies of Pan troglodytes were pioneered by primatologist Jane Goodall. Research by Mary-Claire King in 1973 found 99% identical DNA between human beings and chimpanzees. More recent knowledge puts the difference in DNA between humans, chimpanzees, and bonobos at about 1%–1.2%.
Chimpanzees are adapted for both arboreal and terrestrial locomotion. On the ground, they move both quadrupedally and bipedally. As with bonobos and gorillas, they move quadrupedally by knuckle-walking, which probably evolved independently in Pan and Gorilla. Their muscles are 50% stronger per weight than those of humans due to a higher content of fast-twitch muscle fibers, one of the chimpanzee's adaptations for climbing and swinging. According to Japan's Asahiyama Zoo, the grip strength of an adult chimpanzee is estimated to be 200 kg (440 lb), while other sources claim figures of up to 330 kg (730 lb). The chimpanzee is a highly adaptable species, living in a variety of habitats, including dry savanna, evergreen rainforest, montane forest, swamp forest, and dry woodland-savanna mosaic.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pan is a Greek god, the god of shepherds, hunters, and the wilds. He is also the god of flocks, both wild and tame, and is a protector of animals.
Pan is depicted as having goat's feet and a horned head. His appearance delighted the gods but startled mortals.
Pan is a lecherous, amusing, and amiable god. He is a great musician, admired for his playing of the panpipes. He is also fond of his naps and can be dangerous when disturbed.
Pan was a rustic god, worshipped in natural settings like caves or grottoes. One such place was the Cave of Pan on the north slope of the Acropolis of Athens.
Pan is also the name of the genus of chimpanzees and bonobos, which are hominid species of apes. Chimpanzees are the closest living evolutionary relatives to humans.
