Greek and Roman Mythology: Other Gods and Goddesses: Dionysus
[ Aeolus ] [ Asclepius ] [ Charon ] [ Demeter ] [ Dionysus ] [ The Erinyes ] [ Eris ] [ Eros ]
[ The Fates ] [ The Graces ] [ Hebe ] [ Helius ] [ Iris ] [ Leto ] [ Morpheus ]
[ Nemesis ] [ Nike ] [ Pan ] [ Persephone ] [ Thanater ] [ The Muses ]
Dionysus was the god of fertility, vegetation, the vine, and the pleasures of civilization.
Dionysus was pretty much known as the partier of the Greek pantheon and was often associated with orgiastic rites.
Throughout mythology he also became known as a cultivator of the soil, a lawgiver, a peacemaker, and the patron of tragic
art.
Pronunciation: dye-oh-NYE-sus
Depicted: Dionysus is usually depicted as a very youthful god scantly clothed. His head is crowned with vine leaves and grapes, and carrying a goblet of wine in one hand and a thyrsus staff headed with a pine cone in the other. There are a few random pieces of art that feature him as a mature and bearded man crowned in ivy.
Worship: The civilization was very aware of Dionysus' strange rites and behavior. They even went so far as to ban his worship in some areas. King Pentheus of Thebes tried to imprision him, but the chains fell off and doors could not be closed. His worshippers were called Maenads (Dionysus) and/or Bacchantes (Bacchus) and Satyrs.
Origin: Pre-Hellenic
Father: Zeus
Mother: Semele
Other Names: Bacchus, Dithyrambos
Animals: Goat, Pig, Tiger
Symbols: Vine
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Copyright: Nikki Burke 2000-2008
Website Last Updated: January 03, 2008
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