Satyr, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
The satyr of the medieval bestiary is quite different from the image of the satyr of antiquity, described as a type of ape and often illustrated as a wild man.
The other bestiaries the Satyr is often described as a type of ape, but is usually illustrated as a wild man. It is said to have a lively character, and a pleasant face, although in most illustrations they have an ugly face. Satyrs are generally shown as having features that are more human-like than ape-like, and are often pictured carrying a club. This type of Satyr is quite different from the image of the traditional Roman/ Greek Satyr, which is usually explicitly depicted with a male upper body and the legs and horns of a goat.
Transcription
Translation
gesticulatis motibus. inquieti calitores. toto pe-
ne aspectu a ceteris differunt. In facie barba est. latam
habet caudam. Hos capere non est arduum. set pro-
ferre rarum. Neque enim vivunt in altero quam in ethio-
pico loco. hoc est in suo celo3.
There are also those who are called satyrs, with a very pleasant face and gesticulating movements. They are restless heathens, and differ from the rest in almost their whole appearance. He has a beard on his face and a broad tail. It is not difficult to catch them, but they are rare. For they do not live in any other place than in Ethiopia, that is in their heaven.