Paean

This article is about the song form. For other uses, see Paean (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Peon.

A paean or pean (/ˈpiːən/ ⓘ) is a song or lyric poem expressing triumph or thanksgiving. In classical antiquity, it is usually performed by a chorus, but some examples seem intended for an individual voice (monody). It comes from the Greek παιάν/paian (also παιήων/paeion or παιών/paion), "song of triumph, any solemn song or chant". "Paeon" (paian), which originally referred to a distinct deity of healing. Historical evidence from Linear B tablets (notably the name Pa-ja-wo-ne found at Knossos) suggests that Paean was an independent, pre-Olympian god of healing in the Mycenaean period. In the Homeric epics, Paean remains a separate figure from Apollo, serving as the personal physician to the gods who heals the wounds of Ares and Hades. Over time, the cult of Apollo absorbed Paean’s identity and healing attributes. By the Archaic period, "Paean" became a major epithet for Apollo (Apollo Paean),

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