Pan (Faunus) was the god of the woods and pastures. He was also the protector of shepherds and their flocks. Pan was half man and half goat. The ancient people believed he had a wild temper. They also thought he could fill humans and animals with sudden terror and fear. The word "panic" comes from his name.

Pan had many love affairs with Nymphs. He tried to start and affair with Syrinx, a Nymph, but she ran away in fear. She begged the gods to help her. The gods changed her into a bed of reeds. Pan made musical instruments called panpipes with these reeds, and became famous for playing them.

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