1. Dionysus

2. Dionysus’s Attributes The thyrsos (a pine-cone tipped staff) The thyrsos (a pine-cone tipped staff) Drinking cup Drinking cup Leopard and fruiting vine Leopard and fruiting vine Usually accompanied by a group of Satyrs and Mainades (female devotees or nymphs) Usually accompanied by a group of Satyrs and Mainades (female devotees or nymphs)

3. Dionysus’ Divine Role Dionysus, God of: Viticulture & Winemaking Viticulture & Winemaking Wine Drinking & Party Wine Drinking & Party Madness & Hallucination Madness & Hallucination Fruit & Vegetation Fruit & Vegetation Plays & Choral Song Plays & Choral Song Homosexuality & Effeminacy Homosexuality & Effeminacy Reincarnation & The Afterlife Reincarnation & The Afterlife

4. Dionysus & Seilenos/Mainas

5. Dionysus “twice born” Son of Semele by Zeus Son of Semele by Zeus Myth: While Semele (another mistress by Zeus) was pregnant with the God of fertility, she asked Zeus, who made a promise to grant her anything she wishes, to come to her as Zeus came to Hera during their courtship. Being to overwhelmed by his true form, Semele died of fright (some say she died of lightning by Zeus). Zeus grabbed the six-month aborted baby, which he then sowed into his thigh. Then later, Zeus opened his thigh and gave birth Dionysus. Thus making Dionysus, “twice born”.

6. The Birth of Dionysus

7. The Fostering of Dionysus After born from Zeus’ thigh, Zeus gave him to Hermes, who delivered the God of fertility to the God of dance and drunkenness Seilenos, and Nysiades, who were Okeanid nymphs. After born from Zeus’ thigh, Zeus gave him to Hermes, who delivered the God of fertility to the God of dance and drunkenness Seilenos, and Nysiades, who were Okeanid nymphs. They raised Dionysus in a cave on the mythical mountain of Nysa. They raised Dionysus in a cave on the mythical mountain of Nysa.

8. Dionysus & Hermes