🍷 Dionysus

Dionysus is the ancient Greek god of wine, winemaking and festivity. He was shown as a young or bearded man, wearing a wreath of ivy or vine leaves, holding a thyrsus staff and a cup of wine. Beside him were satyrs and maenads. In myth he was the son of Zeus and the mortal woman Semele.

The Greeks believed that Dionysus taught people to grow grapes and make wine. Festivals called the Dionysia were held in his honour. Greek theatre was later born from them: tragedies and comedies were first staged at the festivals of Dionysus. He is linked not only to wine but also to merriment, nature, rites and the theatre.

The goat and other animals were associated with Dionysus. In myths goats were sacrificed to him because goats eat the vine. The Romans called him Bacchus and held bacchanalia.

Dionysus belongs to ancient Greece and wine. For the Greeks wine was an important part of life, festivals and trade. His image still appears in art and in wine names. Alcohol is for adults.