The Goat Foot God

by Diotima

The Goat Food God.... The Lord of the Hunt... Swift footed, keen eyed... To be approached with laughter and song... God of madness, dreams and healing... Sending armies mad and persuading young women to go on living... Beloved of all the gods, yet never resident on Olympus... Pan presents the modern reader with a series of, if not contradictions, then puzzles. Who was this deity - and who was he thought to be? What were the people who honoured him like, and why did they seek him out? In The Goat Foot God, Diotima takes a scholarly yet idiosyncratic look at Pan, as is only befitting the subject. Using the Homeric Hymn as a base, and moving beyond it, she examines what the ancients knew and thought about Pan. She moves on to the present day and finds no less puzzlement, asking how Pan might fit in with the modern feminist consciousness. There are more questions than answers herein, but that is entirely in keeping with the eponymous subject....

114 pages, Paperback

First published June 18, 2008

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not "all there is to know about Pan," something the author states at the outset is not only well outside the scope of this book but also downright impossible, this gives an excellent survey of how Pan has been seen in various locations and at various points in history, ancient to modern. She even ventures into the minefield of how one might view Pan through a feminist lens, offering several thought-provoking ideas and not attempting to tell the reader what conclusions to draw. I can tell I'll return to this book often, and not only for the impressive resource list that is its bibliography.

[Ashleigh Furry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had the most information I have found on Pan yet and I loved it! It explained so much and had great details and references. I think the book could have done with out the chapter on Pan and feminists though. It took away from the educated feel a lot; I don't think this book was the place for that at all. Great book other wise though!

[Liam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is effectively a collection of data easily garnered from resources on the internet.