Sculpture of a drunken Dionysus and a satyr, 2nd century CE Roman copy after a Hellenistic Greek original Palazza Altemps, Rome / Marie-Lan Nguyen Public Domain How was Dionysus worshipped?ĭionysus was worshipped throughout the Greek world, though the Greeks themselves thought of him as a foreign god imported from the East. His entourage included mythical beings such as satyrs and silens and frenzied female worshippers called maenads. He was also associated with wild cats, especially leopards and panthers ancient artists liked to depict him riding these exotic creatures. In art, Dionysus was often shown holding a large wine cup. His most common attributes pertained to his function as the god of wine and intoxication these included grapevines or grapes and a special kind of ivy-covered wand called a thyrsus. Jupiter and Semele by Gustave Moreau (between 18) Musée National Gustave-Moreau, Paris Public Domain What were Dionysus’ attributes?ĭionysus was usually imagined as a youthful god. Said to have traveled far and wide, Dionysus was regarded as a bringer of civilization in the form of wine cultivation-with both positive and negative consequences. Some sources claimed that Dionysus used his invention of wine to drive his enemies mad, while others said that Dionysus himself went mad. The mythology and cult of Dionysus were often characterized by madness. He was the god of wine, winemaking, fertility, music, dance, and inspiration, and was sometimes counted among the Twelve Olympians-the most important gods of the Greek pantheon. Dionysus, the son of Zeus and Semele, was a Greek god who represented the more spontaneous and unrestrained aspects of human experience.
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