In Roman mythology, a god of forests, fields, and wild animals, similar to the Greek Pan.
From Latin Faunus, possibly derived from favere meaning 'to favor' or from an Indo-European root related to growth and fertility. The god became associated with pastoral landscapes and rustic protection in Roman religion.
Faunus was so popular in ancient Rome that the month of February was called Februarius partly because of Lupercalia, a wild fertility festival held in his honor where people ran through streets striking others with leather strips—talk about an ancient party!
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