Dionysus is the only god who has a mortal mother, Semele. She died because she wanted to see Zeus' true form. Zeus afterwards stitched Dionysus in his thigh and the child was born of Zeus, he was immortal. He is the god of wine, drama, merriment fermentation, and drunkenness. He is seen as a later deity on Mount Olympus. Nymphs raised Dionysus and his divine powers grew when he became older. While the other deities use their myths and ceremonies to urge their believers to law-abidingness, Dionysus walked his own uninhibited but dangerous way. Hera, the jealus wife of Zeus had the Titans rip him apart, but he was put back together, making him a symbol of rebirth. Her revenge to Semele also was as terrible and crafty: disguised as Semele's previous lover, she went to Semele and made her command to Zeus to prove that he was indeed a god, by appearing to her in all his majesty. Semele first let Zeus promise to do whatever she would ask, and then demanded him to show her his true form. No mortal being could possibly bear this sight, and a god could not break his promise. So Zeus appeared before Semele in all his majesty, and immediately she burnt to ashes People worshipped Dionysus by going in the woods and dancing in ecstatic formations. His symbols are grapes, goblets, laurel wreath, drama masks. Roman name Bacchus. Dionysus had the power to bring mortals into ecstasy. In Greek literature there have been many complaints about the pernicious influence of Dionysus' rituals on public morality. In the second century BC the Bacchanals in Rome took such enormous proportions, the Senate had to declare a prohibition on these rites. The cult of Dionysus seemed however indestructible; Nevertheless one century after this prohibition, many mysterious and secret cults flourished again in public.
Ana my friend, your words touch me a lot, thank you, I am glad if you feel happy or if you get even a 1% clue of inspiration. This is all about. This site inspires me too. There is a lot of quality here, in images and people. I am also glad I have seen your photos! kisses from Greece
Fabio, as you said... all Christian customs come from the pagan ones as an effort of pagans to hide behind Christianity and an effort of Christianity to hide its pagan origins...All the same with a new name, just more glamorous, imperialistic and harmlessly superficial? Nevertheless, is it a matter of luck?(?), I come across pagan celebrations all too often!!!
very ecstatical, till today (surprisingly, early cristianity also was seen sometimes as a repetition of the once outlawed bacchanalia by roman authorities, I read. especially the use of wine in christian eucharisty seemed to have raised suspicions)
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{K:32538} 5/20/2004
