Dionysus was a major figure in Greek mythology, presiding most notably over wine and all of its influences. He inspired madness and chaos and made it his mission to relieve his people of their worries. He was the communicator of the dead, and his symbols included the bull, the serpent, wine, and the toxic ivy plant. He has been pictured riding leopards and associated with centaurs and satyrs.

Mythology

There are two stories that describe Dionysus’ birth, both with Zeus as his father and a jealous Hera trying to kill him.

In one version of the story, Zeus had an affair with a mortal woman named Semele while he was married to Hera. When Hera learned of the affair, she disguised herself as an old crone and befriended Semele. She tricked Semele into revealing that the god Zeus was her husband, to which Hera responded by making Semele doubt Zeus’ station as a god. Semele demanded that Zeus prove himself to her, and forced him to appear before her as a god. Mortals, however, perish when they see a god, and so Semele died. Zeus rescued Dionysus’ fetus from Semele and sewed him into his thigh, where Dionysus continued to grow until he was born.

The other version of Dionysus’ beginnings reveals him as the son of Persephone, queen of the underworld. Hera convinced the Titans to lure the child away and kill him, but Zeus intervened, using his thunderbolts to drive the Titans away. By the time Zeus reached Dionysus, the Titans had eaten everything but his heart. Zeus saved the heart to recreate Dionysus, implanting him in the womb of Semele.

In both stories, Dionysus is born twice, making him an important figure in Greek mythology and in many other religions.

After he was born, Zeus hid Dionysus from Hera and the child was raised away from Mount Olympus by foster parents. Some say Hermes and his wife raised Dionysus, while others describe him as the child of the rain nymphs of Nysa. Still other versions claim he was raised in the underworld of Hades.

As a young man, Dionysus discovered how to turn grapes into wine. He traveled for many years, teaching his art in Asia and India. At one point he was aboard a ship, intending to return to Greece. The sailors on board thought he was a prince, and tried to kidnap him to sell as a slave. Dionysus killed the sailors on board, and the ones who jumped overboard were turned into dolphins.

Dionysus’ most well-known power was his ability to travel into the underworld and bring a person back from the dead. During one such journey he retrieved his mother Semele. His guide for the journey, Prosymnus, had requested to be his lover in exchange for her help. Dionysus consented, but Prosymnus died before he could fulfill his promise. Dionysus then formed an olive branch into the shape of a phallus and left it as an offering on Prosymnus’ tomb.

Dionysus in Popular Culture

• Singer Tori Amos created five personalities for her 2007 album American Doll Posse. Each personality was represented by a Greek god or goddess, including Dionysus.

• The Wise Old Man in the online game Runescape is believed to be Dionysus.

• Dionysus appears as a spoiled, childish god in Rick Riordan’s book series Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

• In the 2007 novel Fallen Nation: Babylon Burning by James Curcio, the protagonist realizes he is the reincarnation of Dionysus.

• Dionysus was portrayed as a drunkard, always carrying a bottle of wine, in the Disney movie and television series Hercules. He was again portrayed by Disney as a drunkard in the movie Fantasia.

• The 2001 novel God of the Golden Fleece by Fred Saberhagen includes a technology that gives the bearer the likeness and powers of Dionysus, and is shaped like the ancient god.

• Grant Morrison credits Dionysus as his inspiration for his violent novel Kill Your Boyfriend.

• The rock band Rush enacts a confrontation between Dionysus and Apollo.

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