Dionysus Research Paper

Dionysus was the greek god of wine, theatre, fertility and celebrations. His father was Zeus, god of the sky and all olympians, and his mother was the princess of Theban, Semele. She was a mortal, making Dionysus the only god born of a mortal parent. Before he was born Semele was tricked by Zeus jealous ex wife, Hera, to have Zeus swear on the river styx to make a promise to Semele. Semele asked to see Zeus in his true form, though Zeus already knew what she would ask of him. He did as he promised because he was sworn by the river styx, and Semele burned until there was nothing left but ash because of his glory. Zeus managed to save the fetal Dionysus by stitching him into his thigh and keeping him there until he was ready to be born. Since

The titans succeeded but Dionysus was then brought back to life by Rhea and Zeus gave him to the mountain nymphs to live there, be raised and protected. Dionysus had many siblings, most of whom were greek gods as well. Ares, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hebe, Hermes, Heracles, Helen of Troy, Hephaestus, Perseus, Minos, The Muses, and the Graces were all his brothers and sisters. He was one of the only gods who lived on Mount Olympus, but he spent a lot of his time wandering around the woods with the Maenads. The Maenards were wild women who were Dionysus sacred follows. They would roam the woods clothed in deer hide and hunt with Dionysus while the rest of his followers worshipped him. They would eventually go insane, tearing apart and eating the animals they could find

His sacred animals were a panther, a tiger, a bull, and serpents. Then his sacred plants were a grapevine, ivy, bindweed, and pine trees. Some of his symbols were a thyrsos, which was a staff with a pinecone on the top, a drinking cup, and a crown of ivy as he is seen wearing one in most of the drawings, paintings, and statues that you see of him. Although his greek name is Dionysus he is also known by Bacchus, which is his roman name, Lyeaus, and Liber. Dionysus personalty varied but he was mostly witty, charming, kind but cruel when needed, and understanding. He also represented death and