The myth of the invention of wine, credits the Greek god, Dionysus. When Dionysus was lodging with the peasant Icarius, and his daughter Erigone, he disclosed the secret of wine-making. Dionysus ordered Icarius to teach others to make wine. Obedient to his task, he shared wine with a group of shepherds who enjoyed it until they got drunk. Having never imbibed before, they thought they were poisoned and then beat Icarius to death with their clubs. No one could find his missing body except for his dog Moera. So Moera guides Erigone to the grave where she hangs herself in her despair!
BUT mission accomplished! The cat is out of the bag on making wine and as a reward, Dionysus made them celestial celebrities. Icarius became the star, Boötes, which in Greek means, “the grape-gatherer.” Boötes rises in the autumn at harvest time. Poor Erigone, became the second largest constellation, Virgo. And faithful Moera, became the brightest star in the night sky, Sirius, know as the dog star.
The Greek cult of Dionysus, is associated with, frenzy, madness, ecstasy, festivities and reducing the cares of mortals. One of the symbols of Dionysus is the mask, as one can leave themselves behind and take on another persona. Everything Dionysian is the opposite of reason, serenity and order. So it makes perfect sense that during a “Dionysian orgie” (orgy), there would be intoxication, wild frenzied dancing and animal or even human sacrifices. The method of sacrifice was by “sparagmos,” tearing the flesh to pieces which would be consumed raw and sometimes still alive! It is an “on steroids” symbolic reenactment of the crushing of grapes and the blood like flowing of the juice. In the tragic play The Bacchae, written around 408 BC, Dionysus suddenly appears and strikes people with madness. The Greek Dionysus is not the toga party guy!
The Romans, who emulated many things Greek, called Dionysus “Bacchus” and thought he was a dangerous god. Bacchanalia, drunken wine festivals of this period, pretty much became what may come to mind when you think ACTUAL orgy. The order loving Roman government frowned upon this behavior, and in 186 BC the Roman Senate banned Bacchanalia. Depictions of Bacchus at this time are as “the toga guy,” a fun loving, god of partying. By the Renaissance, the violence, frenzy and madness of the Greek cult of Dionysus was mostly gone and instead fanciful paintings of happy satyrs and nymphs dancing around a harmlessly buzzed Bacchus were depicted.
If wine is your lust just raise a glass “to wine and the passage of time!”
Aillinn Brennan is proprietor of The Marion Hose Bar located at 16 W. Broadway in Jim Thorpe.
For more visit www.marionhosebar.com
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