What is a celebration in honor of Bacchus?

Legends of Bacchus even reached India after the conquest of the East by Alexander the Great. Religious mysteries in honor of the god of wine were famous for their licentiousness and immorality.

The festival in honor of Bacchus served as an inspiration for many artists. Titian, Rubens, Caravaggio, Velasquez, Vrubel captured on their canvases the image of the god of winemaking and his noisy festivities.

In one of the myths, Bacchus becomes the husband of Ariadne, whom Theseus left. But soon the young wife died. The inconsolable Bacchus crowned his beloved with high in the sky. There the immortal gods fixed it - so, according to legend, appeared the constellation Crown of Ariadne.

Bacchus - the god of winemaking

In Roman mythology Bacchus is the god of wine and winemaking, the patron of the harvest. His wife was the goddess Libera, who helped the husbandmen. Bacchus in Greek mythology is called Dionysus, Bacchus. He is depicted in ancient sculpture, painting in the form of a young man with bunches of grapes in his hands. His scepter is covered with ivy, and panthers or leopards are harnessed to the chariot.

Still quite young was appointed Bacchus the god of winemaking. Engaged in his education and education satyr Silenus - poluchelovek, polukozel. He was in all the travels and wanderings near the young Dionysus.

Feast in honor of Bacchus In ancient times was accompanied by a traditional sacrifice, fun, abundant libations.

History of the holiday

Bacchus and Liber were revered as ordinary people. Numerous events were held in their honor. The feast in honor of Bacchus from ancient times was celebrated on March 16-17. Jokes and songs played in towns and villages. A special feature of the holiday was the adoption of a wonderful drink - grape wine.

Solemn events were called Dionysians, Liberals, Vendemials, Bacchanalia. Feast in honor of Bacchus Served as the basis for theatrical performances. Entering the choirs dressed in goat skins attracted a lot of people. The singers performed praises in honor of Bacchus and Libera. Later, from the praises, according to legend, a genre of tragedy arose (this word means "the song of goats") and comedies.

How the celebration takes place

According to the ancient legend, it was Bacchus, the Roman deity, who taught man to make wine from grapes. It relieved anxieties and worries, removed the moral foundations. Therefore, bacchanalia is associated with unrestrained, intoxicating ecstasy.

Wine was used during religious rites for the union of God and man. Bacchanals were accompanied by intoxication, unbridled orgies, ritual dances and praise of Bacchus.

Initially, the bacchanalia was held secretly. Only women took part in them. Later they were joined by men and festivals began to be held much more often - 5 times a month.

The cousin of Bacchus, King Penfe, wanted to ban unholy festivities. They were often accompanied by violence and murder. The Penfey was torn to pieces by the distraught Bacchante. His mother Agava in a state of intoxication took a son for an animal and led his assassination.

In 186, the Senate took severe measures to eradicate this rampant celebration. A wave of links, executions swept through Italy. But the government has not succeeded in completely eradicating the immoral mysteries.

The myth of the birth of Bacchus

According to the myths of the ancient world, the mother of Bacchus, the earthly woman of Semel, was burnt in flames. The newborn was saved by his father, the god Jupiter. From great love for Semele, Jupiter took her soul to heaven and made him an immortal goddess.

The hatred of Juno, the wife of Jupiter, knew no bounds. To protect herself from her anger, Jupiter urged Mercury to take Bacchus to the nymphs, so that they protected the baby.

When still very young Dionysus was appointed a god of wine, he created for himself a great retinue. It included nymphs, satyrs, fauns, men and women worshiping the deity.

The holiday in honor of Bacchus from ancient times was a merry and noisy party. The God of winemaking loved to travel. His entourage moved along with him to different cities and countries, showing how to praise Bacchus. The procession played on whistles, beat in cymbals, handing wine to all comers.

The Feast of Bacchus in the Modern World

Ancient feast in honor of Bacchus Came to our times. In France the festival of wine gathers numerous crowds of people wishing to take part in competitions. Rolling wine barrels, parades of wine brotherhoods and orders, master classes on winemaking - such events can not do without a feast for the glory of Bacchus.

In Italy, during a traditional Venetian carnival in honor of Bacchus, a fountain with wine was opened on the square. This event brought joy to the ranks of the townspeople. The fountain worked every evening for all carnival days.

In the Czech Republic, the festival of Bacchus is timed to the harvesting of grapes. It is accompanied by performances of folklore ensembles, demonstration of crafts. Warm Prague wine during the celebration is sold at every corner.