Ancient Athens is unique among Greek cities in that it had eight sacred caves dedicated to various deities. This humble opening in the rock was dedicated to the cult of Pan, a deity from Arcadia in the Peloponnese who provided protection for shepherds and ensured the fertility of animals. His sanctuaries are usually scattered in the wilderness far from urban areas. The god also represented the lustful characteristics of human sexuality and became involved in a series of unsuccessful love affairs with other deities who fled rather than marry him. In Athens, though, Pan acquired a new characteristic. While in rural Arcadia he was responsible for maintaining the calm of the animals, here he was celebrated for his ability to cause panic and chaos.