Dionysus: God of Wine

Dionysus is the Greek god of the grape harvest. He is also honored for winemaking and parties. He is often portrayed as man with a full beard. The Romans referred to him as Bacchus. Dionysus has the distinction of being twice born. According to one legend he was born to a mortal woman, who died before he was ready to be born. Zeus, his father, sewed him inside of his thigh until he was fully developed and ready to be born. Another myth credits Persephone as being his mother. In this case the Titans killed him when he was young, but Zeus rebuilt him, using the heart of Dionysus. This myth also accounts for Dionysus being born twice. Dionysus had many specific stories about him that have carried over time.

Midas

The story of Midas originated in relation to Dionysus. In the stories, Midas showed someone a kindness or completed an act of bravery. When Dionysus heard about it, he offered Midas a wish. Midas wished that everything he touched would be turned into gold. When Midas realized he had made a mistake, Dionysus sent him to the river to wash, and the wish was reversed.

• History Link: The Story of Midas and Dionysus
• Greek Gods: Midas and Dionysus
• Myth of King Midas
• Myths Encyclopedia: Dionysus

Pentheus

The story of Pentheus and Dionysus first appeared in The Bacchae. Pentheus is Dionysus mortal cousin. When Pentheus first saw Dionysus he mocked him and denied that he could be a god. He also berated the followers of Dionysus and tried to drive them from his city. Dionysus became angry and caused a group of women to go wild with fear or ecstasy. The women saw Pentheus and thought he was an animal. They ripped him into pieces. His mother and sisters were in the crowd of women that killed him.

• Pantheon.org: Dionysus
• The Wanderings of Dionysus
• Dionysus Wrath
• The Bacchae: A Play on Pentheus and Dionysus
• Dionysus in The Bacchae

Lycurgus

Lycurgus was the king of Thrace. He drove the followers of Dionysus from his land. Dionysus was so upset by this that he fled into the sea to escape the king’s wrath. One of Dionysus’ priestesses dropped an important sacred object during the chase. Dionysus became angry and drove Lycurgus mad. As a result Lycurgus thought his son was a vine, and cut off his legs, which ended up killing him.

• Life of Lycurgus
• Dionysus and Lycurgus
• The Twelve Olympians
• History of Dionysus

Prosymnus

Dionysus wanted to save his mother, Semele, from the underworld. Prosymnus showed him a pool that led to the underworld, after Dionysus agreed to be his lover. Although Dionysus was successful in rescuing his mother from the underworld, Prosymnus died before Dionysus returned, and he was unable to keep his promise. He was able to take his mother to Mount Olympus to see Zeus again.

• Dionysus and Prosymnus
• Controversical: Dionysus
• Prosymnus and Dionysus
• The Rescue of Semele from the Underworld

Ampelos

Ampelos was a satyr who was trampled to death by a bull. Dionysus had foreseen his death. Some myths emphasize the great admiration that Dionysus had for Ampelos, while others focus on their great friendship. When Ampelos died, Dionysus turned him into a grape vine. Later Dionysus created the first wine from the grapes of this vine. Today there are many vineyards and wineries named after Ampelos.

• Dionysus and Ampelos
• Ampelos and the First Wine

Chiron

Chiron, sometimes spelled Kheiron, was a well-known centaur. He taught many people and is believed to have first taught medicine to humans. Chiron is thought to have been the teacher of Dionysus during the time that Dionysus lived among the centaurs when he was not allowed on Mount Olympus. Chiron is also known for giving his immortality with Prometheus. After he did this Chiron was given a constellation in the sky as a second chance at immortality.

• Chiron
• Greek Mythology: Chiron
• Myth of Chiron
• Chiron: Father of Medicinal Art

Consorts and Children of Dionysus

Dionysus married Ariadne. He had ten children through Ariadne. He also had a relationship with Aphrodite and he had four children through her. They were the parents of the three Charities. Dionysus also had children through mortals. Several of his children went on to become lesser gods in the court. His children are often associated with wine or introducing wine to cultures. Other children are goddess or gods of parties or festivals.

• Dionysus’ Consorts
• Dionysus’s Followers
• Consorts of Dionysus
• Aphrodite: A Consort of Dionysus 
• Dionysus Genealogy 
• List of Dionysus’
• Marriage to Ariadne
• Dionysus