Priapus | Greek God

Priapo or Priapus (Greek: Πρίαπος, transl. Priapos) is the Greek god of fertility, son of Dionysus and Aphrodite. His image is presented as a mature man, showing a large (erect) genital organ. Priapo was regarded as a protector of flocks, horticultural produce, grapes and bees.

Dionysus, coming victorious from battles in the Indies, was by Aphrodite ardently received and from this union Priapo was born. Hera, jealous of Aphrodite, worked to have the child born with his enormous deformity (curiously, he is always depicted with an oversized penis).

His mother had him brought up on the banks of the Helesponto in Lampasaco, where on account of his libertinism and profligacy he became an object of terror and repulsion. The city was taken over by an epidemic and the inhabitants saw this as retaliation for not having paid attention to Aphrodite's son, they performed rituals and asked him to stay among them.

Representations

He is represented by a bust on top of a pilaster with goat horns, goat ears, a crown of vine or laurel leaves. The ancients smeared the statues with cinnabar or zarcon, sometimes gardening tools are placed next to the image, fruit baskets, sickle, a stick to ward off thieves, and a stick to frighten birds.

Donkey heads and other animals that the locals offered in sacrifice are also placed on the monument. There was also a ritual where virgin girls sat on a giant phallus representing Priapo.