Bacchus was the ancient Roman god of wine and drunkenness (Greek, Dionysus). The Romans celebrated drunkenness because it liberated them from social norms. At first, the celebrants of Bacchus were all women. Later, men were also admitted to their revelries, which then became much more frequent.
The women revelers were called Bacchantes, (Maenads in Greek) and their celebrations were called Bacchanals. The women became so wild, they hunted wild animals and tore them apart with their bare hands. In a play by the Greek poet Euripides, Maenads murdered the king of Thebes, and tore him apart. His own mother tore off his head, thinking he was a lion.
Eventually, the Bacchanals became so wild and excessive, the Roman Senate banned them.
English word: Both Bacchantes and Bacchanal have survived in English. However, is usually used to refer to ancient Roman worshippers, while bacchanal is used in a more figurative sense for modern wild, drunken parties.
The women revelers were called Bacchantes, (Maenads in Greek) and their celebrations were called Bacchanals. The women became so wild, they hunted wild animals and tore them apart with their bare hands. In a play by the Greek poet Euripides, Maenads murdered the king of Thebes, and tore him apart. His own mother tore off his head, thinking he was a lion.
Eventually, the Bacchanals became so wild and excessive, the Roman Senate banned them.
English word: Both Bacchantes and Bacchanal have survived in English. However, is usually used to refer to ancient Roman worshippers, while bacchanal is used in a more figurative sense for modern wild, drunken parties.
No comments:
Post a Comment