Dionysus (Bacchus) - Greek God of Wine and Grape Harvest. | Greek Mythology Pantheon Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek Mythology Pantheon > Dionysus (Bacchus) – Greek God of Wine and Grape Harvest Dionysus (Bacchus) – Greek God of Wine and Grape Harvest Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by Marizano Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by Marizano Dionysus (Roman equivalent is Bacchus) was the god of the grape harvest, winemaking and wine, of ritual madness and ecstasy in Greek mythology. He was the most cheerful of the gods and one of the most beloved to the people. As Prometheus gave them fire or Asclepius put the foundations of medicine, so Dionysus offered them the vine and wine. Hestia gave her Olympian seat to Dionysus and he became one of the twelve Olympian Gods. Dionysus was very likable to other gods. Furthermore, he had helped them several times. Invaluable was the participation of himself and his comrades in the battle which the gods gave against the Giants.

All gods respected him, but especially Hera owed him great gratitude, since he alone of all the gods, persuaded her son Hephaestus to return to Olympus and to free her from her shackles. The merry god then traveled and visited many countries and states to teach people how to cultivate the vines and how to make wine by their fruits. Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by DreamlessxPassion Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by DreamlessxPassion And of course, as the god of joy and mirth, he was not travelling alone. He was followed by a bustling crowd. This crowd consisted of women who danced with frantic way, the Maenads, and strange beings who were humans and animals together. They were called Silenus and Satyrs. Faithful followers of God were marching with him on his long journeys. With Dionysos as the head of the crowd, they crossed Egypt, Libya and other countries in Africa. Then they went to Asia, the Arabs, the Lydians, the Phrygians, eventually reaching India, where even the most daring navigator failed to reach.

Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by Janice Duke Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by Janice Duke In some places they were friendly welcomed, although in other places they were teased or even treated as enemies. But what always prevailed, was the kindness of Dionysus and his companions. He quickly reconciled with the residents and started teaching them how to cultivate the vine. The wonderful drink that the god was treating, scattered joy and fun everywhere. It was making people forget their worries and was bringing smile on their faces. From everywhere Dionysus was passing through, a joyful party was starting and you could not hear anything other than the cheerful sounds of musical instruments and lively songs. So how could these people avoid worshipping this god? And he was a god, although his mother, Semele, daughter of Cadmus, king of Thebes was mortal. Dionysus, however, acquired immortality, which separates the gods from the mortals not only because Zeus was his father, but more because he was born of God for the second time.

Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by sijeney Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by sijeney As strange as it sounds, Dionysus was born twice. When Zeus was captivated by the beauty of the virgin Semele, he approached her and joined her. The fruit of their union was Dionysus. The jealous Hera was not planning to leave inexcusable this infidelity of her husband. Blinded by jealousy and thirsting for revenge, she appeared in front of Semele and cunningly persuaded her to ask of her lover to appear as a god and not with his human form, as he usually appeared before her. This would prove that he loves her truly. The naive and unsuspecting daughter of Cadmus, the next time Zeus visited her in her chambers, asked him to get his divine form. Zeus tried, in vain, with loving words to persuade her. Bending finally by her persistence, he took his divine form, appearing majestic and bright in all his divine glory. It was impossible for the unfortunate mortal woman to withstand the flash of the lightning that was coming from his hands.

While Semele was engulfed in flames, Zeus saved the infant who was in her womb, by talking it and sewing it in his thigh. Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by Kyngdok Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by Kyngdok When the nine months were completed, Dionysus was reborn from the foot of his divine father. The king of the immortals knew very well that his jealous wife would quickly turn her anger on the newborn child. So he asked Hermes to take the child in his custody. He then gave it to Semele's sister, Ino. But, the cunning Hera sent madness to Ino and her husband and they began to mercilessly kill their children. The goddess was thinking that hopefully they would also kill Dionysus, but the winged god caught up and saved little Dionysus trusting him this time to the Nymphs. They raised him with great affection, in the forest they inhabited. Indeed, we could not imagine a more ideal place for the god of vine to grow up, despite an idyllic landscape with trees and colorful flowers. There he never met any people.

And when the king Lycurgus disturbed their tranquility by chasing the Nymphs, scaring Dionysus to death, he was punished viciously by Zeus who blinded him. The punishment was always so harsh for all those people who conspired against the god Dionysus. Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by iizzard Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by iizzard Some Tyrrhenian pirates who captured the god shared the same bad luck. When they saw a so beautiful and robust young man, they believed that he was a noble or even a king. Delighted with the thought that they would reap a huge ransom for releasing him, they tried to tie him with heavy chains, but they did not succeed. A small movement from that God blew it over. The foolish mortals, however, continued their efforts. Only the steersman of the boat tried to restore them to their senses, screaming to them: "Are you so foolish that you don’t you see that we have to do with a god here? Are you not afraid of his punishment? Maybe even Poseidon, will avenge us throwing our ship in a wild sea storm.

The best we have to do is to set him free. " Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by xx_rainyday_xx Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by xx_rainyday_xx The captain and the rest did not agree in letting "such a treasure" leave. At that time, red wine began to flow in the boat that stunned the sailors with its divine aroma. Simultaneously a vine began to wrap the mast and spread it’s, loaded with juicy grapes, branches all over the boat. And while the bemused sailors were watching, another miracle happened before their eyes. The handsome young man who wanted to capture, transformed into a wild lion that started roaring forcing the sailors to jump into the sea to escape. Then Dionysus transformed all of them into dolphins, leaving only the helmsman untouched and rewarding him for his own prudence. Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by iidatoy Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by iidatoy As we have seen, Dionysus was loved and adored by the people because he introduced them to the great taste of wine.

They say that for the first time he revealed it to Eneas, the king of Aetolia. His shepherd, Staphylos, had found a strange plant full of fruits and excited by their taste brought some to the king in order to please him. Eneas squeezed the juicy fruits and enjoyed their rich juice. Since then, Dionysus named the juice as wine (Oinos is wine in Greek Language) and the fruits as wine grapes from the name of the shepherd (Staphylos in Greek is grapes). Always with thyrsus in one hand and a pot of wine in the other hand, he was traveling from town to town. Wherever he found friendly and jovial people, he taught them how to make wine. That is what happened to the residents of Ikaria, in Attica, who greeted him with enthusiasm. Shortly before leaving their place, Dionysus advised the king, Icarian, to guard the well made Icarian wine. But he did not follow his advice, thinking "what harm can come from such a pleasant drink!".

Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by valerhon Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by valerhon One day, his shepherds found the barrels and drank so much wine, that drunk and began to behave very violently. Having lost their sense of logic, they killed Icarian and his daughter Irigoni, feeling extremely sad, committed suicide. The inhabitants of Ikaria particularly honored the god Dionysus. This region cultivated the dithyramb a lot, a hymn to the god composed by the musician Arion. Additionally, they added something new. In this musical anthem, they added lyrics. And since in this composition the singing people were disguised as goat shaped Satyrs, they called it tragedy (tragos in Greek is goat). Of course, religious ceremonies for the god of the vine were made in many other areas. Those attending to these events should participate actively drinking wine and dancing under the influence of intoxication. Those who refused were enemies of Dionysus and drew his rage.

Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by yarkspiri Dionysus (Bacchus) Greek God - Art Picture by yarkspiri So, a tragic end found Pentheus who wanted to secretly monitor the orgiastic feasts. Maenads, one of which was his mother, occupied by their fury and anger, pounced on him and mangled him. The daughters of King Minos, as also the daughters of king Proetos, were continuously refusing to take part in these religious ceremonies. Dionysus, being insulted and angry made them lose their minds. Others say that the fury that gripped the young daughters of Proetos was Hera’s doing. Dionysus appears as harsh punisher to his enemies and to those who are opposed to the way of his worship. Yet, he is a very generous benefactor to those who honour him and thank him.

Greek God Dionysus (Bacchus) Statue, a Roman copy of a Hellenistic original - Photo by Maicar Forlag Greek God Dionysus (Bacchus) Statue, a Roman copy of a Hellenistic original - Photo by Maicar Forlag When King Midas hosted his teacher, the old Silenus, who had been lost, he agreed to fulfill his desire to please him. The greedy Midas asked him to give him the ability to convert anything he touches to gold. Soon, the poor guy found out that he would become fabulously rich but would soon die of hunger and thirst. The bread he touched to eat was turned into gold and the water he wanted to drink was turned into golden drops. Being very sorry, he asked God to make him like before and Dionysus that took pity on him told him that if he bathed in the waters of the River Pactolus, his martyrdom would cease. The god of the feast didn’t have many love adventures like the other gods. The women in his life had a different position. They were nannies when he was small and companions in his nonstop celebrations when he grew up.

Greek God Dionysus (Bacchus) Statue Greek God Dionysus (Bacchus) Statue He once fell in love with the beautiful Ariadne, when he saw her sleeping calmly and serene, looking like a goddess. The daughter of Minos, along with Theseus returned to Athens from Crete. Waking up one morning in Naxos, Ariadne saw that her partner left and abandoned her. Without her knowing it, Dionysus had come to the dream of Theseus and with threats forced him to leave, planning to make the beautiful young woman his own. All alone as she was in the desert island, Dionysos, young, stocky, wreathed with ivy leaves as usual, appeared like a savior in front of her. After having their marriage, they flew towards the sky with the chariot of the god. On earth, people were thanking him for his divine gift and for the peace of mind that he generously shared. The celebrations in his honor were a perpetual feast where everyone got drunk and sang. In this way, they tried to contact with their dear god.

Please leave a comment if you liked this article 🙂 All pictures are also uploaded in Albums on the Greek Mythology Pantheon page on Facebook, visit us at : You may also like: Bacchus Bacchus by Micha F. Lindemans The Roman god of wine and intoxication, equated with the Greek Dionysus . His festival was celebrated on March 16 and 17. The Bacchanalia, orgies in honor of Dionysus, were introduced in Rome around 200 BCE. These infamous celebrations, notorious for their sexual and criminal character, got so out of hand that they were forbidden by the Roman Senate in 186 BCE. Bacchus is also identified with the old-Italian god Liber . The worship of Bacchus is vividly depicted in Euripides' play The Bacchae. Article details: Dionysus - Greek God of Wine and Drunken Revelry Ancient/Classical History Dionysus - Greek God of Wine and Drunken Revelry Dionysus holding a wine cup (kantharos). Red-figure Amphora, by the Berlin Painter, c. 490-480 B.C. Courtesy of Bibi Saint-Pol at Wikipedia.

By N.S. Gill Updated August 17, 2016. Dionysus is the god of wine and drunken revelry in Greek mythology. He is a patron of the theater and an agricultural/fertility god. He was sometimes at the heart of frenzied madness that led to savage murder. Writers often contrast Dionysus with his half-brother Apollo . Where Apollo personifies the cerebral aspects of mankind, Dionysus represents the libido and gratification. Family of Origin Dionysus was the son of the king of the Greek gods, Zeus, and Semele , the mortal daughter of Cadmus and Harmonia of Thebes [see map section Ed ]. Dionysus is called "twice born" because of the unusual manner in which he grew: not only in a womb but also in a thigh. Dionysus the Twice-Born Hera, queen of the gods, jealous because her husband was playing around (again), took characteristic revenge: She punished the woman. In this case, Semele. Zeus had visited Semele in human form, but claimed to be a god. Hera persuaded her that she needed more than his word that he was divine.

continue reading below our video What are the Seven Wonders of the World Zeus knew the sight of him in all his splendor would prove fatal, but he had no choice, so he revealed himself. His lightning brightness killed Semele, but first, Zeus took the unborn from her womb and sewed it inside his thigh. There it gestated until it was time for birth. The Romans often called Dionysus Bacchus or Liber. Attributes Usually visual representations, like the vase shown, depict the god Dionysus sporting a beard. He is usually ivy-wreathed and wears a chiton and often an animal skin. Other attributes of Dionysus are thyrsus, wine, vines, ivy, panthers, leopards, and theater. Powers Ecstasy -- madness in his followers, illusion, sexuality, and drunkenness. Sometimes Dionysus is associated with Hades. Dionysus is called the "Eater of Raw Flesh". Companions of Dionysus Dionysus is usually shown in the company of others who are enjoying the fruit of the vine. Silenus or multiple sileni and nymphs engaged in drinking, flute-playing, dancing, or amorous pursuits are the most common companions.

Depictions of Dionysus may also include Maenads, the human women made mad by the wine god. Sometimes the part-animal companions of Dionysus are called satyrs, whether meaning the same thing as sileni or something else. Sources Ancient sources for Dionysus include: Apollodorus, Diodorus Siculus , Euripides, Hesiod, Homer, Hyginus, Nonnius, Ovid, Pausanias, and Strabo. Greek Theater and Dionysus The development of Greek Theater came out of worship of Dionysus in Athens. The major festival at which the competitive tetralogies (three tragedies and a satyr play ) were performed was the City Dionysia . This was an important annual event for the democracy. The theater of Dionysus was on the south slope of the Athenian acropolis and held room for an audience of 17,000. There were also dramatic contests at the Rural Dionysia and the Lenaia festival, whose name is a synonym for 'maenad', Dionysus' frenzied worshipers. Plays were also performed at the Anthesteria festival, which honored Dionysus as god of wine.

Bacchus the Roman god - YouTube Bacchus the Roman god Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. The interactive transcript could not be loaded. Loading... Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Aug 1, 2016 Puffin on my Bacchus meerschaum with some captain black cherry Category Bacchus | Article about Bacchus by The Free Dictionary Bacchus | Article about Bacchus by The Free Dictionary Related to Bacchus: Bacchius , bacchanalia , Hestia Bacchus (băk`əs), in Roman religion and mythology, god of wine; in Greek mythology, Dionysus Dionysus , in Greek religion and mythology, god of fertility and wine. Legends concerning him are profuse and contradictory. However, he was one of the most important gods of the Greeks and was associated with various religious cults. He was probably in origin a Thracian deity. ..... Click the link for more information. .

Dionysus was also the god of tillage and law giving. He was worshiped at Delphi and at the spring festival, the Great Dionysia. In Rome, the mysteries of his cult were closely guarded, and he was identified with an ancient god of wine, Liber Pater. Many legends connected with Dionysus were also used in the cult of Bacchus. A seventeenth-century engraving of a drunken Bacchus supported by two fauns. Reproduced by permission of Fortean Picture Library. Bacchus (religion, spiritualism, and occult) Bacchus is asteroid 2,063 (the 2,063rd asteroid to be discovered, on April 24, 1977). It is approximately 1.2 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of 1.1 years. Bacchus was named after the god of wine, the Roman equivalent of the Greek Dionysus. According to Martha Lang-Wescott, Bacchus is related to addictive syndrome, particularly to the denial, substitution, and management of uncomfortable emotions. This asteroid’s key word is “denial.” According to J.

Lee Lehman, “Bacchus represents the way that a person seeks ecstasy through direct experience or passion.” Jacob Schwartz gives the astrological significance of this asteroid as “Ecstasy to encourage sensual excess and fertility; addictive personalities and behaviors and attempts to manage feelings through substitutions.” Bacchus is also one of the names given to the hypothetical planet that some astrologers assert is orbiting beyond Pluto. Sources: Bacchus, Roman God of Wine and Fertility Bacchus, Roman God of Wine and Fertility Roman Deities Bacchus, Roman God of Wine and Fertility Bacchus is portrayed in this mosaic from the Roman Empire, from Tunisia. Image by S. Vannini/De Agostini Picture Library/Getty Images By Patti Wigington Updated September 24, 2016. In Roman legend, Bacchus stepped in for Dionysus, and earned the title of party god. In fact, a drunken orgy is still called a bacchanalia, and for good reason. Devotees of Bacchus whipped themselves into a frenzy of intoxication, and in the spring Roman women attended secret ceremonies in his name.

Bacchus was associated with fertility , wine and grapes, as well as sexual free-for-alls. Although Bacchus is often linked with Beltane and the greening of spring, because of his connection to wine and grapes he is also a deity of the harvest. A celebration is held in his honor each year at the beginning of October. Bacchus was the son of Jupiter, and is often portrayed crowed with vines or ivy. His chariot is drawn by lions, and he is followed by a group of nubile, frenzied priestesses known as Bacchae. Sacrifices to Bacchus included the goat and the swine, because both of these animals are destructive to the annual grape harvest -- without grapes, there can be no wine. Bacchus has a divine mission, and that is his role of "liberator." During his drunken frenzies, Bacchus loosens the tongues of those who partake of wine and other beverages, and allows people the freedom to say and do what they wish. In mid-March, secret rituals were held on Rome's Aventine hill to worship him.

These rites were attended by women only, and were part of a mystery religion built up around Bacchus. In addition to being the patron of wine and drink, Bacchus is a god of the theatrical arts. In his earlier incarnation as the Greek Dionysus, he had a theater named for him in Athens. He is often portrayed as a slightly effeminate figure, prone to good humor and general bawdiness. Bacchus in Mythology In classical mythology, Bacchus is the son of Jupiter and Semele . However, he was raised by nymphs after Semele burned to ashes, overwhelmed by the splendor of Jupiter in his true form. Once he grew up, Bacchus wandered the earth learning about the culture of the vine and the mysteries of winemaking. He studied the religious rites of the goddess Rhea, and began sharing the good news far and wide. When Bacchus returned home from his adventures, the king was none too pleased with his shenanigans, and ordered him put to death. Bacchus tried to talk his way out of execution by spinning a fanciful yarn in which he claimed to be a fisherman, but the king wasn't having any of it.

However, before the death sentence could be carried out, the prison doors sprung open of their own accord, Bacchus vanished, and his worshipers threw a huge party in his honor. Bacchus is mentioned in Longfellow's Drinking Song as the leader of a drunken, debauched parade: Fauns with youthful Bacchus follow, Ivy crowns the brow, supernal as the forehead of Apollo, and possessing youth eternal. Round about him, fair Bacchantes, Bearing cymbals, flutes, and thyrses, Wild from Naxian groves, or Zante's Vineyards, sing delirious verses. He also appears in the writings of Milton, in the story of Circe : Bacchus that first from out the purple grapes crushed the sweet poison of misused wine, after the Tuscan mariners transformed, Coasting the Tyrrhene shore as the winds listed on Circe's island fell (who knows not Circe, The daughter of the Sun? Whose charmed cup Whoever tasted lost his upright shape, and downward fell into a grovelling swine).

Dionysus, the Greek god of Wine in Greek Mythology Parents: Dionysus was a son of Zeus , the King of the Gods and the beautiful princess Semele. Because of his mortal mother, his birthplace Thebes refused to acknowledge him as an immortal at first. Relationships: Aphrodite , the goddess of love, and Nyx , the goddess of the night. Wife: Ariadne, the princess of Crete Famous Children: Priapus, Phthonus, Deianira Personality and Style of Dionysus Dionysus was a god known for his lightheartness and always offered his help to anyone in need. He was therefore very popular among gods and mortals and many festivals were being held every year in his honor. Nevertheless, Dionysus was many times misunderstood. Dionysus was one of the Olympian gods who actually did not live in Mount Olympus but was constantly travelling around the world together with Satyrs and Maenads in order to discover the secrets of winemaking. Bacchus *** Facts about Bacchus Bacchus was not only the god of wine but he was also the Roman god of good-cheer, hilarity, mirth and revels.

The festival called Bacchanalia was held in his honor. The terrible reputation of these festivals, notorious for their debauchery and where all kinds of crimes and political conspiracies were supposed to be planned, led to a ban on these festivals. In 186 B.C. the Roman Senate issued a decree, the so called 'Senatus consultum de Bacchanalibus' by which the Bacchanalia were prohibited throughout the whole of Italy, except in certain special cases, in which the senate reserved the right of allowing them. The following facts and profile provides a fast overview of Bacchus: Bacchus Profile & Fact File Role & Function: His function is described as being the god of wine and drama Status: Major God and one of the 'Dei Consentes', the Council of Gods. Symbols: Bunch of grapes and a wine cup Alternate Name: Liber Greek Counterpart: The Greek name for this god was Dionysus Name of Wife: Ariadne Name of Father: Jupiter Name of Mother: Semele, the daughter of Cadmus Names of Children: Names of his children by Ariadne were Oenopion, Thoas, Staphylos and Peparethus.

Other children, by Venus, included the Charites, Hymenaios and Priapus Facts about Bacchus in Greek Mythology and History Discover interesting information and facts about the Roman god of wine and drama. The facts about Bacchus provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about Bacchus in ancient Roman Mythology and history. History and Mythical Facts about Bacchus Fact 1 about Bacchus: He was the son of Jupiter and Semele and the husband of Ariadne Fact 2 about Bacchus: Silenus was the tutor of Bacchus and was generally represented on an ass.

Fact 3 about Bacchus: The Thyrsus was the name of the vine encircled wand borne by the followers of the god Fact 4 about Bacchus: Telete was the goddess of initiation into the Bacchic orgies Fact 5 about Bacchus: Acratopotes was the god of unmixed wine and incontinence and Adephagia was the spirit of satiety and gluttony Fact 6 about Bacchus: He features in the Myth of King Midas Fact 7 about Bacchus: The Pleiades, the Seven Sisters were famous Oreads, mountain nymphs and were associated with Bacchus with whom they frolicked in the woody hills where many lived Fact 8 about Bacchus: Liber was another name given to the god of wine and revelry. The Liberalia were festivals held in honor of the god.

The Liberalia, was celebrated on the 17th of March Fact 9 about Bacchus: Bacchanalia was the festival to the god was held between March 15 and 16 Fact 9 about Bacchus: Bacchanalia were held in in the grove of Simila, near the Aventine Hill in Rome. It was initially attended by women only with many secret rites. The Latin word 'orgia' originally meant "secret rites" and from which the modern word 'orgy' is derived. Fact 10 about Bacchus: The Bacchantes was the name given to female followers of the god Fact 11 about Bacchus: Admission to the Bacchanalian rites were subsequently extended to men and celebrations took place five times a month. Fact 12 about Bacchus: The term 'bacchanalia' is used to refer to any drunken revelry. Fact 13 about Bacchus: There were many temples erected to him by the Romans. Sacrifices to the god were the goat and the swine because these animals were destructive to the vine.

Bacchus (Greek Counterpart was Dionysus) The Romans habitually assimilated various elements from other cultures and civilisations, including the gods and goddesses that were worshipped by the Greeks and other nations. When the Roman Empire conquered the Greeks in 146BC many of the Greek gods and goddesses were adopted by the Romans. The Romans simply changed the Greek gods names to Latin equivalents. His Greek counterpart of was Dionysus. The Roman religion significantly differed from the Greeks in that it was officially endorsed by the state and exerted influence over the government of Rome. Politicians took the offices of influential priests, called pontiffs, to gain control of the popular worship, Roman gods and goddesses like Bacchus were worshipped at every public event, including the gladiatorial games, where blood sacrifices were made to the gods. In ancient Rome, the pantheon of 12 major gods, including Bacchus, were called the 'Dei Consentes' meaning the Council of Gods.

Bacchus and the Roman Gods Family Tree and Genealogy The Roman gods family tree provides an instant overview of the genealogy and the family connections and relationships between the main deities, including Bacchus, who feature in the legends and mythology of the ancient Romans. The Primeval gods and deities, the Titans and the Roman Olympians. Bacchus Interesting information and Facts about the Roman god of mirth and revellry The Roman god of wine and drama Stories and Legends in Roman Mythology associated with Bacchus Facts and information about the Gods and Deities of the Ancient World for schools and kids The Roman god of wine and drama Dionysus | Mythology Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia Greek Mythology Wiki : Dionysus Dionysus or Dionysos (Ancient Greek: Διώνυσος or Διόνυσος; also known as Bacchus in both Greek and Roman mythology and associated with the Italic Liber), the Thracian god of wine, represents not only the intoxicating power of wine, but also its social and beneficent influences.

He is viewed as the promoter of civilization, a lawgiver, and lover of peace — as well as the patron deity of both agriculture and the theater. He was also known as the Liberator (Eleutherios), freeing one from one's normal self, by madness, ecstasy, or wine. The divine mission of Dionysus was to mingle the music of the flute and to bring an end to care and worry. There is also an aspect of Dionysus on his relationship to the "cult of the souls", and the scholar Xavier Riu writes that Dionysus presided over communication between the living and the dead. Greeks borrowed Dionysus' figure and within the Olympian tradition he is made to be the son of Zeus and Semele; other versions of the story contend that he is the son of Zeus and Persephone. Contents Edit The name Dionysus is of uncertain significance; it may well be non-Greek in origin, but it has been associated since antiquity with Zeus (genitive Dios) and with Nysa, which is either the nymph who nursed him, or the mountain where he was attended by several nymphs who fed him and made him immortal as directed by Hermes; or both.

The above contradictions suggest to some that we are dealing not with the historical memory of a cult that is foreign, but with a god in whom foreignness is inherent. And indeed, Dionysus's name is found on Mycenean Linear B tablets as "DI-WO-NI-SO-JO",5 and Kerenyi traces him to Minoan Crete, where his Minoan name is unknown but his characteristic presence is recognizable. Clearly, Dionysus had been with the Greeks and their predecessors a long time, and yet always retained the feel of something alien. The bull, the serpent, the ivy and wine are the signs of the characteristic Dionysian atmosphere, infused with the unquenchable life of the god. Their numinous presence signifies that the god is near. (Kerenyi 1976). Dionysus is strongly associated with the satyrs, centaurs and sileni. He is often shown riding a leopard, wearing a leopard skin, or being pulled by a chariot drawn by panthers. and has been called the god of cats and savagery. He always carries a thyrsus.

Besides the grapevine and its wild barren alter-ego, the toxic ivy plant, both sacred to him, the fig was also his. The pine cone that tipped his thyrsus linked him to Cybele, and the pomegranate linked him to Demeter. The Dionysia and Lenaia festivals in Athens were also dedicated to Dionysus. In Mythology Edit Dionysus had an unusual birth that evokes the difficulty in fitting him into the Olympian pantheon. His mother was Semele (daughter of Cadmus), a mortal woman, and his father Zeus , the king of the gods. Zeus's wife, Hera , a jealous and vain goddess, discovered the affair while Semele was pregnant. Appearing as an old crone (in other stories a nurse), Hera befriended Semele, who confided in her that her husband was actually Zeus. Hera pretended not to believe her, and planted seeds of doubt in Semele's mind. Curious, Semele demanded of Zeus that he reveal himself in all his glory as proof of his godhood. Though Zeus begged her not to ask this, she persisted and he agreed.

Mortals, however, cannot look upon a god without dying, and she perished. Zeus rescued the fetal Dionysus, however, by sewing him into his thigh. A few months later, Dionysus was born. In another version of the same story, Dionysus was the son of Zeus and Persephone , the queen of the underworld. A jealous Hera again attempted to kill the child, this time by sending Titans to rip Dionysus to pieces after luring the baby with toys. Zeus drove the Titans away with his thunderbolts, but only after the Titans ate everything but the heart, which was saved, variously, by Athena , Rhea , or Demeter . Zeus used the heart to recreate him in the womb of Semele, hence he was again "the twice-born". Sometimes people said that he gave Semele the heart to eat to impregnate her. The rebirth in both versions of the story is the primary reason he was worshipped in mystery religions , as his death and rebirth were events of mystical reverence. This narrative was apparently used in certain Greek and Roman mystery religions.

Variants of it are found in Callimachus and Nonnus, who refer to this Dionysus under the title Zagreus, and also in several fragmentary poems attributed to Orpheus. Childhood Edit The legend goes that Zeus took the infant Dionysus and gave him in charge to the rain-nymphs of Nysa, who nourished his infancy and childhood, and for their care Zeus rewarded them by placing them as the Hyades among the stars (see Hyades star cluster). Alternatively, he was raised by Maro. When Dionysus grew up he discovered the culture of the vine and the mode of extracting its precious juice; but Hera struck him with madness, and drove him forth a wanderer through various parts of the earth. In Phrygia the goddess Cybele, better known to the Greeks as Rhea, cured him and taught him her religious rites, and he set out on a progress through Asia teaching the people the cultivation of the vine. The most famous part of his wanderings is his expedition to India, which is said to have lasted several years.

Returning in triumph he undertook to introduce his worship into Greece, but was opposed by some princes who dreaded its introduction on account of the disorders and madness it brought with it. (See King Pentheus or Lycurgus.) As a young man, Dionysus was exceptionally attractive. Once, while disguised as a mortal on a ship, the sailors attempted to kidnap him for their sexual pleasures. Dionysus mercifully turned them into dolphins but saved the helmsman, Acoetes, who recognized the god and tried to stop his sailors. In a similar story, Dionysus desired to sail from Icaria to Naxos. He then hired a Tyrrhenian pirate ship. But when the god was on board, they sailed not to Naxos but to Asia, intending to sell him as a slave. So Dionysus turned the mast and oars into snakes, and filled the vessel with ivy and the sound of flutes so that the sailors went mad, and leaping into the sea, were turned into dolphins. Others say that Dionysus came on board after these sailors, having leapt ashore, captured him, stripped him of his possessions, and tied him with ropes.

Midas Edit Once, Dionysus found his old school master and foster father, Silenus , missing. The old man had been drinking, and had wandered away drunk, and was found by some Phrygian peasants, who carried him to their king, Midas (alternatively, he passed out in Midas' rose garden). Midas recognized him, and treated him hospitably, entertaining him for ten days and nights with politeness, while Silenus entertained Midas and his friends with stories and songs. On the eleventh day he brought Silenus back to Dionysus. Dionysus offered Midas his choice of whatever reward he wanted. Midas asked that whatever he might touch should be changed into gold. Dionysus consented, though he said he was sorry that he had not made a better choice. Midas rejoiced in his new power, which he hastened to put to the test. He touched and turned to gold an oak twig and a stone. Overjoyed, as soon as he got home, he ordered the servants to set a feast on the table. Then he found that his bread, meat, daughter and wine turned to gold.

Upset, Midas strove to divest himself of his power (the Midas Touch); he hated the gift he had coveted. He prayed to Dionysus, begging to be delivered from starvation. Dionysus heard and consented; he told Midas to wash in the river Pactolus . He did so, and when he touched the waters the power passed into them, and the river sands changed into gold. This was a cosmogony that explained why the sands of the Pactolus were rich in gold. Family Edit Introduced into Rome (c. 200 BC) from the Greek culture of lower Italy or by way of Greek-influenced Etruria, the bacchanalia were held in secret and attended by women only, on three days in the year in the grove of Simila near the Aventine Hill, on March 16 and 17. Subsequently, admission to the rites were extended to men and celebrations took place five times a month.

The notoriety of these festivals, where many kinds of crimes and political conspiracies were supposed to be planned, led in 186 BC to a decree of the Senate — the so-called Senatus consultum de Bacchanalibus, inscribed on a bronze tablet discovered in Calabria (1640), now at Vienna — by which the Bacchanalia were prohibited throughout all Italy except in certain special cases which must be approved specifically by the Senate. In spite of the severe punishment inflicted on those found in violation of this decree, the Bacchanalia were not stamped out, at any rate in the south of Italy, for a very long time. (See: Further Reading below for an ancient description of the banned Bacchanalia) Dionysus is equated with both Bacchus and Liber (also Liber Pater). Liber ("the free one") was a god of fertility and growth, married to Libera. His festival was the Liberalia, celebrated on March 17. Appellations Edit Dionysus sometimes has the epithet Bromios, meaning "the thunderer" or "he of the loud shout".

Another epithet is Dendrites; as Dionysus Dendrites ("he of the trees"), he is a powerful fertility god. Dithyrambos ("he of the double door") is sometimes used to refer to him or solemn songs sung to him at festivals. The name refers to his premature birth. Iacchus, possibly an epithet of Dionysus, is associated with the Eleusinian Mysteries; in Eleusis, he is known as a son of Zeus and Demeter. The name "Iacchus" may come from the ιακχος, a hymn sung in honor of Dionysus. Eleutherios ("the liberator") was an epithet for both Dionysus and Eros. As Oeneus, he is the god of the wine-press. With the epithet Liknites ("he of the winnowing fan") he is a fertility god connected with the mystery religions. A winnowing fan was similar to a shovel and was used to separate the chaff from the good, cut grain. In addition, Dionysus is known as Lyaeus ("he who releases") as a god of relaxation and freedom from worry.

In the Greek pantheon, Dionysus (along with Zeus) absorbs the role of Sabazios, a Phrygian deity, whose name means "shatterer" and to whom shattered pottery was sacrificed (probably to prevent other pottery from being broken during firing). In the Roman pantheon, Sabazius became an alternate name for Bacchus. See Also

Question: Who was the Greek God of wine, equivalent to the Roman God Bacchus?
Answer: DIONYSUS