The satyrs were creatures of the wilderness and countryside, wild representations of fertility and sexual nature.  They were closely associated with Dionysus, god of wine and celebration, Gaia, a female earth mother representation, and Hermes, the messenger god.  Satyrs were animal-like and human-like, with the tail of a horse and donkey ears, but with the body and legs of a human. 

In this elegant reproduction of a 5^th century b.c. vase found in the National Museum in Athens, the Satyrs are depicted dancing, while two are holding a crescent shaped shield, called a pelta, and spear. The middle figure is playing the double flute. All of them are wearing vines on their heads, a sign of their protector god, Dionysus (Bacchus).