09 Dionysus Flashcards
Agave
The mother of Pentheus, who unwittingly carries her son’s head after his sparagmos by the Bacchae. (p. 407)
Anthesteria
A three-day festival in Athens celebrating the opening of the year’s wine with drinking contests, parades, and a sacred marriage to Dionysus. (p. 396)
Attis
A figure who is worshipped alongside Cybele, and is often believed to have castrated himself under the goddess’ influence. (p. 427)
Bacchants
Female worshippers of Dionysus, who carry thyrsi, dance, pray, and shout in the god’s honor. (p. 406)
City Dionysia
A week-long festival in Athens that included processions and performances of tragedies, comedies, and satyr plays. (p. 396)
Cybele
The Phrygian Great Mother, whose worship is oftentimes conflated with that of Dionysus. (p. 426)
Eleuthereus
A cult title of Dionysus, derived from his identification with the town of Eleutherae, near Athens. (p. 396)
Icarus
An Athenian farmer to whom Dionysus taught the cultivation of wine and who shared the knowledge with his neighbors. (p. 399)
Maenads
Another name for the Bacchants. (p. 416)
Mystery Cults
Loosely affiliated, informal groups whose members underwent a secret initiation and then worshipped Dionysus. (p. 396)
Penthus
The King of Thebes who resists the imposition of Dionysus’ cult—and is torn apart by the god’s worshippers (including his own mother). (p. 396)
Satyrs
Mixed goat-human creatures who lent their name to the plays that eventually became “comedies”. (p. 401)
Semele
The mother of Dionysus, who was destroyed when she asked to see Zeus (the boy’s father) in his full glory. (p. 395)
Symposia
Drinking parties in Dionysus’ honor that were defined by conversation and open sexual expression. (p. 398)
