Papposilenus (or Papposilenos) was a Silen—specifically, he was the “grandfather” or the oldest of the Silens.

The name comes from the Greek word πάππος (pappos), meaning “grandfather.” In the context of your gallery and Greek art, he is a distinct iconographic type.

Appearance: He is almost always depicted as a very old, balding man with a white beard. In theatrical contexts, he is often shown wearing a shaggy, white, fleecy costume (chortaios) that mimics animal hair.

Role: He represents the elder statesman of the Dionysian retinue. While the younger Satyrs are rowdy and lustful, Papposilenus is often shown as the more sedentary, jovial, and sometimes philosophical tutor of the infant Dionysus.

Exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Delos. Delos island, Greece.