Dionysus

According to one legend, Dionysus, the god of wine and luxuriant fertility, was born in Thebes. Zeus had a tryst with Semele, daughter of Cadmus, leaving her impregnated. Hera became jealous at this, and persuaded Semele to have her lover come to her in his full glory. When Zeus actually did this his thunderbolts reduced her to ashes. He saved his offspring by sewing him up within his own thigh, and then when he was ripe for birth, Zeus had Hermes convey him to the nymphs of Mount Nysa to be reared.

According to tradition, Dionysus, when he had grown up, wandered throughout Greece, Asia, India, and Africa, spreading the gift of wine to those places where he was welcomed kindly, but bringing terrible punishments upon those who resisted him. His worship quickly won over many women converts, though the men were more resistant. According to tradition, Pentheus, king of Thebes, was torn apart by crazed bacchants for trying to spy on their activities. In addition, the Athenians were punished with impotence for dishonoring the god's cult.

Lavish festive rites known as orgia were held far and wide in his honor. These Dionysia, or Bacchanalia, were wilds festivals for women, which included heavy drinking. Traditionally, women would abandon their families and take to the hills, wearing ivy crowns and fawn skins, shouting the ritual cry of "Euoi!" In their thyasi, or holy bands, they waved about their thyrsoi, fennel wands tipped with ivy and bound with vine leaves. Supposedly, the bacchants could charm snakes, suckle animals, and gained the strength to tear apart their living victims before engaging in an omophagia (literally = "eating raw flesh"), a ritual feast.

For more on Attic festivals of Dionysus, refer to the discussions of the Anthesteria, City Dionysia, and Country Dionysia on the Festival Calendars page.

Timeline of Relevant Events