Bacchanals, Bacchanalia

pl. ( Myth.) Feasts held in honor of Bacchus, and said by Hero dot us to have been of Egyptian origin, (see DIONYSIA;) these, as practised at Rome and in other parts of Italy, led to such abuses, that they were suppre ed by a decree of the senate, B. c. 186. This decree, engraved upon a brazen table, was discovered at Bari in 1640, and is preserved in the imperial collection at Vienna. Bacchant', n. [Lat. bacchans, p.pr. of bacchari, to celebrate the festival of Bacchus.] A priest of Bacchus. - A bacchanal; a reveller; a drunkard. Bacchante', n. [Fr.] A prieste of Bacchus. - A female bacchanal. Bacchantes, ( bak-an'tes,) n. pl. [Lat.] (Myth.) Prieste es of Bacchus, represented at the celebration of their orgies as almost naked, with garlands of ivy, a thyrsus, and dishevelled hair. Their looks are wild, and, uttering frantic cries, they clash various musical instruments together. They are also called Thyades and Mænads . Bacchiglione, ( ba'keel - yeo - nai ,) a navigable river of Upper Italy, rising in Vicenza, and, after a course of 55 m., falling into the lagoons of Venice. Bac'chi us, and Bi'thus, two celebrated gladiators of equal age and strength; whence the proverb to expre equality, Bithus contra Bacchium.