Dionysos (Gods and Heroes of the Ancient World)

Dionysos is one of the most-studied ancient Greek gods for students and academics. He is popularly known as the god of wine and frenzied abandon, and has great significance for theatre -- drama, in fact, originated as part of the cult of Dionysos. However, Seaford's book covers a wider range of issues, such as mystery, cult and philosophy, which have been overlooked by many studies. As a volume in the Gods and Heroes series, this work will provide an indispensable introduction to the subject, or reference point for higher levels of study. Dionysos is our oldest living symbol. First mentioned in texts of the thirteenth century BC, he was for the ancient Greeks the divine embodiment of wine, of mystery-cult, and of the theatre, and even today is valued as a symbol of something fundamental to being human. With the power of his epiphany Dionysos broke down the barriers of individual consciousness, he merged the individual into the group. He did it not only by wine, but also in the transformation of individuals in the theatre, and in the rehearsal of death in mystery-cult. In this way Dionysos could embody the whole community, but could also be a refined philosophical symbol. He was the most serious rival to the spread of Christianity, by which he was not entirely eliminated: his resurgences in Renaissance Italy and nineteenth century Germany are described in the final chapter of this book. Dionysos, a groundbreaking survey of one of the most enduring of Greek gods, provides an excellent reference point for study and will also be of interest to readers in related disciplines. -- from back cover BOOK COVER......Page 1 HALF TITLE......Page 2 SERIES TITLE......Page 3 TITLE......Page 4 COPYRIGHT......Page 5 CONTENTS......Page 6 SERIES FOREWORD......Page 10 ILLUSTRATIONS......Page 14 WHY DIONYSOS?......Page 16 1. INTRODUCING DIONYSOS......Page 18 KEY THEMES......Page 28 2. NATURE......Page 30 3. COMMUNALITY......Page 41 4. EPIPHANY......Page 54 5. MYSTERY-CULT......Page 64 6. DEATH......Page 91 7. THEATRE......Page 102 8. PSYCHOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY......Page 120 9. CHRISTIANITY......Page 135 DIONYSOS AFTERWARDS......Page 146 10. AFTER ANTIQUITY......Page 148 11. DIONYSOS AND MONEY, THEN AND NOW......Page 161 FURTHER READING......Page 167 WORKS CITED......Page 170 INDEX......Page 171

Covering a wide range of issues which have been overlooked in the past, including mystery, cult and philosophy, Richard Seaford explores Dionysos – one of the most studied figures of the ancient Greek gods.

Popularly known as the god of wine and frenzied abandon, and an influential figure for theatre where drama originated as part of the cult of Dionysos, Seaford goes beyond the mundane and usual to explore the history and influence of this god as never before.

As a volume in the popular Gods and Heroes series, this is an indispensible introduction to the subject, and an excellent reference point for higher-level study.

Why Dionysos? -- Introducing Dionysos? -- Key Themes -- Nature -- Communality -- Epiphany -- Mystery-cult -- Death -- Theatre -- Psychology And Philosophy -- Christianity -- Dionysos Afterwards -- After Antiquity -- Dionysos And Money, Then And Now. Richard Seaford. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [152]-154) And Index.