Dionysius |
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Dionysius was the son of Zeus and the mortal Semele (daughter of Cadmus). Zeus had an affair with Semele disguised as a mortal. Zeus's wife Hera hearing of this, tricked Zeus into revealing his divine self to her. This he did, but Semele was burnt to death by the fire of his lightening flash. The fetus however, being part-god, survived, and Zeus sewed it up in his own thigh until it was time for Dionysius to be born.After this birth, Dionysius was raised by several different nurses and groups. He was cared for by Ino (Semele's sister) until Hera sent her mad. Zeus saved his son by transforming him into a kid which Hermes delivered to the Nymphs of Nysa. He was transformed back, and raised as a girl by them, and later suckled by Aristaeus. He was educated by the Muses, Satyrs, the Sileni and the Maenads. When he was grown Disonysis discovered the fruit of the vine and the art of making wine from it. Hera caused him to go mad for a period which ended when he consulted the oracle at Dodona. Then he went wandering having numerous adventures. Dionysius had many lovers of both genders, including Achilles, Adonis, and Hermaphroditus.
Function and MeaningDionysius was originally a god of wine, but later became a god of vegetation and warm moisture. As the stories about him increased, so did the areas of his influence, which include wine, ecstasy, crossdressing, sensuality, rebellion, and drama. He is frequently portrayed wearing a feminine hair style and attire, and viewed as an effeminate, yet sexually potent male.His birth shares some characteristics with that of Athena, as Zeus acts as defacto mother in both cases, incubating an unborn child after the original mother is dead. He also has a retinue of followers and associates which include Satyrs, Pan, Centaurs and Nymphs. |
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