Dionysus
by CTCWeb Editors
The God of Wine
Dionysus is most often recognized as the god of wine, even today. Students should investigate the myths and archaeological evidence supporting Dionysus as the god of wine. Below is a set of textual and archaeological citations for Dionysus as the god of wine. This list should be used as a starting off point for research. Each time a class does this assignment information should be added to this list for future use.
Baltimore, Hopkins 42.70, Baltimore, Hopkins AIA B10, Baltimore, Hopkins AIA B12, Harvard 1960.343, Harvard 1960.347, Munich 2344, Munich 2645, Yale 1913.322 - on each on of these vases Dionysus appears as the god of wine.
Encyclopedia, Kalathos - Used for wine as suggested by the decoration often portraying Dionysus and the maenads.
Apollodorus 3.14.7 - Icarius as first to learn how to make wine from Dionysus.
Aristophanes, Frogs line 23 - Dionysus refers to himself as the son of a wine-jar.
Pausanias 7.21.1 - the Calydonians at once became raving as though through drink during a ritual for Dionysus.
Pausanias 9.8.2 - Once the ritual participants grew so violent with wine that they actually killed the priest of Dionysus.
Plato, Laws, 666b - It is decided that men over forty may fully indulge in ‘Dionysus’ and get totally drunk. The wine from Dionysus relieves the ‘crabbiness’ of old age.
Plato, Laws, 672b - The Athenian explains why Dionysus brought the Bacchic rites and wine to mankind. His madness is a result of his jealous stepmother’s rage. His stepmother being Hera.
