A minor fertility deity of
Greek and Roman Mythology, son of
Dionysus and a
Nymph, and best known from various short,
obscene poems called Priapeia. His
ithyphallic statues protected gardens, threatening intruders with
sodomy. For the general tone of worship, compare the Pseudo-
Vergilian:
'So, trespasser, stand in awe before this god
Raise high your hand; you'll reap the benefits
And watch your dick, let loose, stand at attention.
'My god, give it here!' you say? look there, the steward's
Coming, whose dick jerked back by his strong arms
Might just be a weapon fit for his right hand.'
-Priapeia II.16-21
The priapics are prime examples of Roman sexually agressive humour.