The Return of the Horned God

This lecture explores the historical shift in Western cultural focus from human-centered pagan deities to the horned god Pan during the nineteenth century, particularly in Britain. Trace the evolution of Pan from a classical Greek deity to a powerful symbol of wild nature, personal liberation, and cultural rebellion. Discover how the Romantic Movement transformed perceptions of nature and elevated Pan's significance as a protector of the countryside and a potential rival to Christianity. Examine Pan's complex associations with sexuality, rebellion, and freedom, and learn how this figure eventually evolved into the archetypal Horned God central to modern pagan revivals. Professor Ronald Hutton, Gresham Professor of Divinity and Professor of History at the University of Bristol, delivered this comprehensive 46-minute talk at Barnard's Inn Hall in February 2025, concluding with reflections on whether Pan represents a cultural symbol or divine presence in contemporary society.