Tim Roos

BACCHUS
Professeur Cian
Latin 1, Period 8
12.6.2016
FACTS
Derived from the Greek god Dionysus
Patron god of wine, partying, drama, good-cheer, and intoxiction
Son of Jupiter and a mortal named Semele
The name Bacchus derives from bacca, meaning berry
His symbol is a bunch of grapes and a wine cup
The festival Bacchanalia is held in Bacchus honor
Worshipped as early as 1500-1100 BC
Bacchus is represented by city religions as the protector of those who
do not belong to conventional society
INCORPORATING BACCHUS
INTO ROMAN LIFE
Farmers who grew grapes, or any type of berries
would pray to Bacchus for a bountiful profit from
their fields. They also prayed to Bacchus when
hosting parties.

In mid-March, secret rituals were held on Rome's

Aventine hill to worship him. These rites were
attended by women only, and were part of a
mystery religion built up around Bacchus.
FESTIVALS AND TEMPLES OF BACCHUS
Bacchanalia
This festival was celebrated on March
16th & 17th. This festival was introduced
in Rome around 200 BCE. This festival
got so out of hand that it was banned by
the Roman Senate in 186 BCE.
Temple at Baalbek
The best preserved temple at the site is
the Temple of Bacchus built in 150 AD.
The ancient Roman temple was
dedicated to Bacchus, also known as
Dionysus, the Roman god of wine. Today,
it is one of the top tourist attractions of a
Roman tour in Libanon.
 MYTHOLOGY
oHis mother was a mortal woman, Semele, and his father
was Jupiter
oJuno discovered the affair while Semele was pregnant
oJuno befriended Semele & began to plant seeds of
doubt that Zeus was actually the father
oSemele wanted Jupiter to prove it
oShe demanded he reveal himself in all of his glory to
prove his godhood
oHe did, but ended up killing her
oJupiter saved Bacchus and sewed him in his thigh
oBacchus was born a few months later at Mount Pramnos
oDressed as a girl to hide from Juno
SYMBOLISM
The bull, the serpent, the ivy and the wine are
the signs of the characteristic Dionysian
atmosphere
Strongly associated with satyrs, centaurs, and
sileni
Often shown riding a leopard, wearing a
leopard skin, or in a chariot drawn by panthers
His thyrsus is sometimes wound with ivy and
dripping with honey.