PHALES
Greek Name
Φαλης
Transliteration
Phalês
Latin Spelling
Phales
Translation
Phallic (phallos)
PHALES was the rustic spirit (daimon) or satyr demi-god of the processional phallus and the phallic song (phallikon) of the festivals of Dionysos. Aristiphanes, surely in jest, calls him the god of adultery and pederasty.
Phales was connected with the phallic Dionysos, the phallic Hermes, and the daimones Tykhon, Konisalos and Orthanes. He also resembled the god Priapos.
PARENTS
Perhaps HERMES or DIONYSOS though nowhere stated
CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES
Aristophanes, Acharnanians 263 ff (trans. O'Neill) (Greek comedy C5th to 4th B.C.) :
"I will follow, singing the Phallic hymn; thou, wife, look on from the top of the terrace. Forward!
(He sings) Oh, Phales, companion of the orgies of Bakkhos (Bacchus), night reveller, god of adultery and of pederasty . . . How much sweeter, oh Phales, Phales, is it to surprise Thrakian (Trhacian) slave-girl of Strymodorus, stealing wood from
Mount Phelleus, to catch her under the arms, to throw her, on the ground and lay her, Oh, Phales, Phales!"
SOURCES
GREEK
- Aristophanes, Birds - Greek Comedy C5th - 4th B.C.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page.