ABSTRACT

Greek mythology is an assortment of myths from antiquity including gods,

heroes, and legendary animals. The deity of wine, Dionysus, is revered as a
representation of rebellion and unbridled beauty. Dionysus was born from
Zeus's thigh and was raised by nymphs on Mount Nysa. Between wine and
fertility, he was the god of theater, madness, festivity, pleasure, and
greenery. In Roman mythology, Dionysus is frequently portrayed as
Bacchus, the god of wine, with the grape and wine serving as two of his
most important symbols. At different festivals, Dionysus was worshipped
and frequently portrayed as a fully grown bearded man, beast, or young
person. He was well-known for his brutality and was also appreciated in
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lyric poetry. Wine is said to have originated with Dionysus and is still
extensively enjoyed today.

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1. Introduction

Greek mythology is an assortment of tales from the ancient Greeks (ancient Greece),
concerning gods, heroes, legendary creatures about the nature of the universe , and the
origin and meaning of their religions. Mythical stories were mostly passed down through the
poets of ancient Greece. Greek mythology transferred power between three periods.
Olympians are a topic worth discussing .Olympians are also known as Major Deities (The
main gods in the Greek pantheon).(Mythomnis, 2018). "Don't judge a book by its cover".
This may be the thought of many people about Dionysus. As a symbol of revolt, Dionysus is
revered as the deity of fenderless beauty. Therefore he is considered a "rebellious" god.
However for Dionysus, he promoted fun, not destruction. Thus, this paper, With the aim of
providing information about "God of Wine" - one of the gods in Greek mythology, including
its orgign, symbol, and facts, as well as giving useful datas to help readers understand more
about Dionysus.

2. Discussion of findings

2.1. The origin of Dionysus.

As reported by Dani Rhys (2023), legend of Dionysus has not origin from ancient Greek, but
it is father to the east. There are a few times he also come to Asian and India, which can
indicate that gods originated from other places. In addition Dionysus is the only god born
from an earthly mother, moreover he is included in the list of 12 gods on Mount Olympus.
(Dani Rhys, 2023)

Additionally, according to N.S.Gill (2019,p.1) Envious of her husband's enjoyment, Hera

penalized Semele. Posing as a god, Zeus killed her and took the baby out of Semele's womb,
sewing it into his thigh. Zeus's divine claim was shown to be insufficient by Hera. Then in
traditional Greek mythology Born from Zeus's thigh, Dionysos was given up to the nymphs
on Mount Nysa for care. Some suggest Nysa was Boiotian Mt Kithairon, where Dionysos was
nurtured by his aunts, the Nymphai Nysiades (Nymphs of Nysa), and his mentor, the ancient
satyros Seilenos. The identity of these nurses and their mountain vary. According to other

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stories, the Hyades, the Naxians, the Ikarians, and the Spartans reared Dionysos on their
island. Mount Nysa was the most often chosen site for Dionysos's care; he subsequently
relocated to Phoenicia, Egypt, Arabia, or India.( Hesiod, Theogony 940 ff (trans. Evelyn-
White) (Greek epic C8th or 7th B.C.). "And Semele, daughter of Kadmos was joined with him
[Zeus] in love and bore him a splendid son, joyous (polygethes) Dionysos, a mortal woman
an immortal son. And now they both are gods ".

As reported by Danielle Mackay (2021), Dionysus was the god of theater, insanity,
celebration, pleasure, frenzied frenzy, and greenery in between wine and fertility. He is
frequently portrayed as a dualistic deity; on the one hand, he represents revelry, happiness,
and religious ecstasy, yet he would also exhibit cruelty and fury. These two aspects illustrate
wine's dual nature as a good and a bad thing.

2.2. The symbols of Dionysus

It can be clarified that Dionysus is often depicted as a god of wine or Bacchus in Roman
mythology. The grape and wine are two of the most prominent symbols associated with
Dionysus (Dionysus's Symbols: Mythology, Culture, and Society in Ancient Greece by
Elizabeth Vandiver). The grape and wine are two of the most prominent symbols associated
with Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, fertility, and theater. The grape represents the source
of wine, which was considered a sacred drink in ancient Greek culture. Dionysus was often
depicted holding a cluster of grapes or a staff called a thyrsus, which was topped with a
bunch of grapes. "Dionysus was the discoverer of the grapevine" (Pseudo-Apollodorus,
Bibliotheca 3. 31).

According to The Dionysian Artist 2016, wine, on the other hand, was seen as a symbol of
joy, celebration, and ecstasy, which were all attributes associated with Dionysus'
worshippers, known as the Bacchae or Maenads, who would gather in wild, frenzied
celebrations called orgies or bacchanalia, fueled by the consumption of wine (Dionysus: A
Study of Greek Religion by Jane Ellen Harrison) .

As reported by Edward Olszewski 2019, the thyrsus is one of the most iconic symbols
associated with the ancient Greek god Dionysus. It is a staff or wand decorated with ivy,
grape clusters, and sometimes other plants like pinecones or fig leaves (c. 80-21 BCE, 1935,
Charles Old father). The thyrsus was carried by Dionysian worshippers and dancers as a
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symbol of fertility, abundance, and the god's power over nature. It was also used in religious
rituals and processions as a way to honor and invoke Dionysus' presence. The thyrsus
remains an important symbol in modern Dionysian religions like Dionysian Wicca and
Dionysian Mysteries traditions within neo-paganism and spirituality movements around the
world.

Besides, with Joseph Cataliotti's research, Satyrs were half-human, half-goat creatures with
the lower body of a goat and the upper body of a man. They were known for their lustful
and wild nature, and they often accompanied Dionysus in his revelries and celebrations
(Mark Cartwright, 2021). Satyrs were also associated with the forest and the natural world,
and they were believed to have the power to control wild animals and plants. In art and
literature, satyrs were often depicted as comical and lewd figures, representing the more
primal and animalistic aspects of human nature.

2.3. The facts of Dionysus

According to Maria Dragatakis (2020), he was continuously seen as an outsider

of eastern heavenly nature since he was a Greek divinity. Moreover, Prometheus brought
mankind sacred fire and life, but it was Dionysos who taught people to live fully and 'under
the sun'. The influence of the spirit of Dionysos makes people 'feel like gods' by Challaye
(2007, p. 61). The Greek student of history Herodotus places Dionysus' birth within
the sixteenth century BC, a period that's reinforced by the god's saying on a Straight B
tablet. Proof of the reverence of Dionysus date back to the Neolithic period, around six
centuries BC, and incorporates the Greek city of Mycenae.

Nietzsche ( 2007, p.120) used to write If Apollo represents what is stylish and complete,
then 'on the contrary, Dionysian art is based on playing with sadness intoxication and
ecstasy'. Dionysus, a god of wine, was honored in various festivals, including Lesser, Greater,
Anthesteria, and Lenaea. He was depicted in art as a full-grown bearded man, beast, or
youth. Dionysus was insulted by Lycurgus and imprisoned for opposing his worship. He was
also honored in lyric poetry. Despite being a kind and generous deity, he could be cruel
when necessary. Pentheus attempted to stop Dionysus' worship, but Dionysus was

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unreceptive and caused Theban women to go mad, leading to his torment.( Greek Gods &
Goddesses,2010-2014).

The deity of wine, Dionysus, is credited with originating wine, which is still widely consumed
today. While there are several proverbs associated with wine use, "Drinking to one's health"
(temporarily translated as "Drink for health") is still the most often quoted. The proverb
dates back to ancient Greece, when wine waiters or innkeepers would often take a sip of
the wine to ensure it was safe to drink before serving it to guests.

3. Conclusion

The above analysis has shown Dionysus has left a lasting impact on Western culture and
society, particularly in the areas of drama, theater, and viticulture. From the ancient Greek
festivals honoring his deity to modern-day wine festivals and theatrical productions, his
influence can still be seen today. It serves as a testament to the importance of connecting
with nature and preserving our cultural heritage, and viticulture.

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