maenads and bacchantes

maenads and bacchantes
Female followers of the Greek wine-god Dionysus.

The word maenad comes from the Greek, meaning "mad" or "demented." During the orgiastic rites of Dionysus, maenads roamed the mountains and forests performing frenzied, ecstatic dances, and were believed to be possessed by the god. While under his influence they were supposed to have unusual strength; it was said they could tear animals or people to pieces (the fate met by Orpheus). As bacchantes they were named for Bacchus, the Roman counterpart of Dionysus.

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  • Bacchantes —    From Greek mythology, followers of Dionysus. These women left their homes to roam the wilderness and engage in wild ceremonies of orgies and dancing in honor of Dionysus. The ceremonies also included the rending of human flesh. Also called… …   The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology

  • Maenads —    From Greek mythology, followers of Dionysus. These women left their homes to roam the wilderness and engage in wild ceremonies of orgies and dancing in honor of Dionysus. The ceremonies also included the rending of human flesh. Also called… …   The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology

  • Bacchus —    From Greek mythology, the god of the vine (wine), song and drama. He died each winter, but was reborn each spring. Also called Dionysus. See Comus, Maenads and Bacchantes …   The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology

  • Maenad — Bacchae redirects here. For the tragedy by Euripides, see The Bacchae. Bassarids redirects here. For the opera by Hans Werner Henze, see The Bassarids. Furious Maenad,carrying a thyrsus and a panther,with a snake rolled up over her head.Tondo of… …   Wikipedia

  • L'Orfeo — This article is about the Monteverdi opera. For the German record company, see ORFEO. Claudio Monteverdi …   Wikipedia

  • Dionysus — /duy euh nuy seuhs/, n. Class. Myth. the god of fertility, wine, and drama; Bacchus. Also, Dionysos. * * * Greek god of vegetation and fruitfulness, known especially as the god of wine and ecstasy. His Roman equivalent was Bacchus. His worship… …   Universalium

  • Dionysus — Bacchus redirects here. For other uses, see Bacchus (disambiguation). This article is about the Greco Roman deity. For other uses of the names Dionysus and Dionysos , see Dionysos (disambiguation). For other uses of the theophoric name Dionysius …   Wikipedia

  • Trance — denotes a variety of processes, techniques, modalities and states of mind, awareness and consciousness. Trance states may occur involuntarily and unbidden.The term trance may be associated with meditation, magic, flow, and prayer. It may also be… …   Wikipedia

  • Dionysus —    From Greek mythology, the god of the vine (wine), song and drama. He died each winter, but was reborn each spring. The Romans called him Bacchus. See Bacchantes, Comus, Maenads and Thyrsus …   The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology

  • Sparagmos — (Greek: σπαραγμός) refers to an ancient Dionysian ritual in which a living animal, or sometimes even a human being, would be sacrificed by being dismembered, by the tearing apart of limbs from the body. Sparagmos was frequently followed by… …   Wikipedia

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