Skip to main content

Satyr

the goat-headed warriors of Greece

The Satyrs were fierce goat-headed creatures of the Greek world, half man and half goat, counted among the most formidable monsters Kratos ever faced. Once companions of revelry in the older myths, in the age of the gods they became disciplined warriors who fought in coordinated bands under their generals and commanders.

By Joe Garratt

The Satyrs were creatures of Greek myth, beings with goat-like heads and horns, the upper body of a man and the clawed legs of a goat. Among the fiercest monsters in all the Greek world, they were able to stand toe to toe with Kratos himself and could make short work of any warrior who grew careless against them.

From revellers to warriors#

In the oldest myths of Greece the Satyrs were creatures of revelry, beings with the upper body of a man and the horns and hind legs of a goat. They were the companions of Pan and of Dionysus, known above all for their love of wine, their pursuit of the nymphs, and a general drunken chaos and mischief. The satyr Silenus was remembered in such tales as the one who granted King Midas the gift by which all he touched turned to gold.

In the age of the gods the Satyrs of Greece had become something far harder. They kept the goat-like head and the clawed limbs, but they were now disciplined and acrobatic warriors, ranging in build from small and nimble to large and powerfully built, and they wielded weapons of war: double-bladed staves that could be parted into twin blades, paired sai, axes, clubs, and shields.

Generals and bands#

The Satyrs rarely fought alone. The lesser among them, swift and agile, swarmed in numbers and were deadliest when marshalled by their betters. Above them stood the Satyr Generals and Satyr Captains, hulking creatures of great strength who could command the lesser Satyrs and direct them in coordinated assaults, much as the Centaur Generals marshalled the Sentries and Legionnaires of Olympus. What the generals lacked in agility they made up for in raw power, wielding great swords and grappling hooks.

Upon the island of Delos dwelt the Satyr Commanders, elite warriors clad in heavy blue armor far stronger than the light plate of common Satyrs. They were masters of evasion and of deadly combinations with their weapons, and one such band guarded the Statue of Apollo. Other breeds were scattered across the Greek world and the realms beyond: the Two-Sai Satyrs and Satyr Grenadiers found near the Temple of Helios, the blackened Dark Satyrs of the Temple of Persephone, and the flame-wreathed Hades Satyrs who stood as the last guardians barring the way out of the Underworld.

Frequently asked questions

What are Satyrs in God of War?
Satyrs were creatures of Greek myth with goat-like heads and horns, the upper body of a man, and the clawed legs of a goat. They were among the fiercest monsters in the Greek world and could stand toe to toe with Kratos himself.
How did Satyrs change from the old myths to the age of the gods?
In the oldest myths the Satyrs were creatures of revelry, companions of Pan and Dionysus known for wine, the pursuit of nymphs, and drunken mischief. In the age of the gods they became disciplined and acrobatic warriors who wielded double-bladed staves, paired sai, axes, clubs, and shields.
Who led the Satyrs in battle?
The Satyrs rarely fought alone. The Satyr Generals and Satyr Captains, hulking creatures of great strength, commanded the lesser Satyrs and directed them in coordinated assaults, much as the Centaur Generals marshalled the Sentries and Legionnaires of Olympus.
What different breeds of Satyr existed?
Many breeds were known, including the Satyr Commanders of Delos who wore heavy blue armor and guarded the Statue of Apollo, the Two-Sai Satyrs and Satyr Grenadiers near the Temple of Helios, the Dark Satyrs of the Temple of Persephone, and the flame-wreathed Hades Satyrs who guarded the way out of the Underworld.
What weapons did the Satyr Generals use?
What the Satyr Generals lacked in agility they made up for in raw power, wielding great swords and grappling hooks.

Sources

  • WikiSatyrGod of War Wiki entry

Spotted a factual error or a primary source we missed? Email a correction. Every flagged claim gets reviewed.

Related entries

Get new articles in your inbox

No spam. New lore drops, canon conflicts, and deep dives only when they’re worth reading.

Some links on Lore Fortress are affiliate links. If you buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.