Priapus

Pompeya erótica6

Pompeya erótica5

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Bust Priapus Bronze Roman 100BCE Museo Archeologico Nazionale Naples found in the Villa di Papiri 1

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Musée Picardie Archéo 03

Priapus is a figure from Ancient Greek mythology and later adopted by the Romans, known primarily for his excessively large and permanently erect phallus, which symbolizes male fertility and garden fertility. He is considered a minor rustic fertility god, protector of livestock, fruit plants, gardens, and male genitalia. Priapus' role extended to horticulture and the protection of sailors, with his image often used in Ancient Rome as a scarecrow-like figure in gardens and also as a symbol of health and fertility in men.

Mythology

According to myth, Priapus was a son of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and Dionysus, the god of wine, or sometimes, he is mentioned as the son of Adonis and Aphrodite. His birth was accompanied by controversy due to the deformity of his large phallus, a feature that defined most of his mythological narratives. The size of his phallus was so immense that it prevented him from engaging in sexual intercourse, leading to various tales where this aspect was highlighted humorously or with a moral lesson in mind.

In one famous myth, Priapus intended to rape the nymph Lotis while she slept, but the braying of a donkey, which alerted the other gods, thwarted his attempt. This story was often depicted in Ancient Greek art and Roman art, illustrating the comedic aspects of his thwarted desires and his association with donkeys, animals also symbolically linked to fertility and sexuality in ancient cultures.

Cult and Worship

The worship of Priapus was widespread in Ancient Greece and Rome, with his cult particularly flourishing in areas known for viticulture and gardening. He was worshipped as a god of fertility, and his statues were common in gardens where they were believed to promote growth and protect against thieves. These statues, often made of wood, depicted him with a large erect phallus and were sometimes used for protective curses against trespassers.

Priapus' festivals were marked by ribaldry and lasciviousness, reflecting his association with fertility and sexual potency. During these festivals, prayers were offered to Priapus in gardens and vineyards to ensure a bountiful harvest, and his phallic symbols were carried in processions.

Symbolism and Interpretation

Priapus' oversized phallus has been interpreted in various ways, from a symbol of fertility and virility to a representation of the humorous and grotesque. In psychoanalytic theory, Priapus has been seen as a symbol of male anxiety about sexual adequacy and performance. In art and literature, Priapus was often used to explore themes of desire, embarrassment, and the boundaries of social acceptability.

Legacy

The legacy of Priapus has endured through the centuries, influencing Western culture in various ways. The term "priapism" is derived from his name, referring to a medical condition involving a persistent and often painful erection. His image has appeared in various forms of art, literature, and even garden statuary, serving as a reminder of the ancient world's complex attitudes towards sexuality and fertility.