018 | Dionysus

Dionysus is the ancient Greek god of wine, the god who inspires ritual madness and ecstasy, and a major
figure of Greek mythology. He is included as one of the twelve Olympians in some lists. Dionysus is typical
of the god of the epiphany, "the god that comes". He was also known as Bacchus, the name adopted by
the Romans and the frenzy he induces, bakkheia. In addition to winemaking, he is the patron deity of
agriculture and the theater. He was also known as the Liberator (Eleutherios), freeing one from one's
normal self, by madness, ecstasy or wine. The divine mission of Dionysus was to mingle the music of the
aulos and to bring an end to care and worry.[4] Scholars have discussed Dionysus' relationship to the "cult
of the souls" and his ability to preside over communication between the living and the dead.