Sileno in the clasical period The attic type of the old Sileno is defined for the first time in the 4th. century B.C. Being a live portrait of Socrates , ugly and cheerful , greatly losing his hair , with pig´s ears , a flat upwards nose , fatty , showing a potent and prominent belly , he will be an exclusive stage design at the beginning.
Then , the old Sileno becomes a popular character ; however , he keeps his archaic features and obscure , ambiguos aspect. As Dionysus´hourishing father , Pappo Sileno personifies the old pedagogue and the tutor , becoming in this way the conductor of satiric dramatic plays.
This attic design , purely playlike , was due to the creation of poets - conducting actors .