Dionysos
The god of wine, madness, and liberation. His worshippers would chant "Eu, hoi!". Dionysos is another god associated with mystery religions - plural, because he's usually at least somewhat relevant to multiple ones. Some of his worshippers carried his emblem, the thrysos, a rod topped with a pine cone and ribbons.
Selected Epithets
| Epithet | Ancient Greek | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Agathos Daimon | Αγαθοσ Δαιμον | Agathos Daimon |
| Akratophoros | Ακρατοφορος | Bringer of Mixed Wine |
| Aigobolos | Αιγοβολος | Goat Slayer |
| Agyieus | Αγυιευς | Protector of the Street |
| Androgynos | Ανδρογυνος | Androgynous |
| Anthion | Ανθιον | Of the Flowers |
| Anthroporraistos | Ανθροπορραιστος | Man Slayer |
| Auxitês | Αυξιτης | Giver of Increase |
| Bakkhos, Bakkheios | Βακχος, Βακχειος | Of Bacchic Frenzy |
| Bouphagos | Βουφαγος | Cow Eater |
| Bromios, Lyaios | Βρομιος, Λυαιος | Noisy |
| Dimêtôr | Διμητωρ | Twice-Born |
| Eiraphiôtês | Ειραφιωτης | Goat Kid, Insewn |
| Eleuthereus | Ελευθερευς | Of Liberation |
| Erebinthinos | Ερεβινθινος | Of the Chickpea |
| Euastêr | Ευαστηρ | Of the "Eu, Hoi!" Cry |
| Hestiôs | Ἑστιως | Of the Feast |
| Iobakkhos, Iakkhos | Ιοβακχος, Ιακχος | Of Ritual Bacchic Cries |
| Kissios | Κισσιος | Of the Ivy |
| Kistophoros | Κιστοφορος | Basket Bearer |
| Kittophoros | Κιττοφορος | Ivy Bearer |
| Kôlôtês | Κωλωτης | Of the Spotted Gecko |
| Khthonios | Χθονιος | Of the Earth |
| Lamptêros | Λαμπτηρος | Of the Torches |
| Lênaios, Lêinaios | Ληναιος, Λιναιος | Of the Wine Press |
| Lysios | Λυσιος | Of Release |
| Mainolês | Μαινολης | Raging Mad |
| Melanaigis | Μελαναιγις | Of the Black Goat-skin |
| Melpomenos | Μελπομενος | Singer (in a Tragic Play) |
| Moskhophagos | Μοσχοφαγος | Calf Eater |
| Mystês | Μυστης | Of the Mysteries |
| Nyktelios | Νυκτελιος | Of the Night |
| Oinops | Οινοψ | Wine-Dark |
| Omphakitês | Ομφακιτης | Of the Unripe Grape |
| Phallên | Φαλλην | Of the Phallus |
| Phleôn | Φλεων | Luxuriant in Foliage |
| Protrygaios | Προτρυγαιος | First of the Vintage |
| Psilax | Ψιλαξ | Uplifter on Wings |
| Saôtês | Σαωτης | Savior |
| Sôtêrios | Σωτηριος | Savior from Madness |
| Staphylitês | Σταφυλιτης | Of the Grape |
| Taurophagos | Ταυροφαγος | Bull Eater |
| Theoinos | Θεοινος | God of Wine |
Offerings
- Wine
- Ivy
- Grapevine
- Styrax incense
- Thrysos
- Amtheyst
- Theater plays
Prayers and Hymns
“I begin to sing of ivy-crowned Dionysus, the loud-crying god, splendid son of Zeus and glorious Semele. The rich-haired Nymphs received him in their bosoms from the lord his father and fostered and nurtured him carefully in the dells of Nysa, where by the will of his father he grew up in a sweet-smelling cave, being reckoned among the immortals. But when the goddesses had brought him up, a god oft hymned, then began he to wander continually through the woody coombes, thickly wreathed with ivy and laurel. And the Nymphs followed in his train with him for their leader; and the boundless forest was filled with their outcry. And so hail to you, Dionysus, god of abundant clusters! Grant that we may come again rejoicing to this season, and from that season onwards for many a year.”-Homeric Hymns
References
- Theoi.com
- Dionysos: Archetypal Image of Indestructible Life by Karl Kerenyi