Dionȳsia

, festivals in honour of Bacchus among the Greeks. Their form and solemnity were first introduced into Greece from Egypt by a certain Melampus, and if we admit that Bacchus is the same as Isis, the Dionysia of the Greeks are the same as the festivals celebrated by the Egyptians in honour of Isis. They were observed at Athens with more splendour and ceremonious superstition than in any other part of Greece. The years were numbered by their celebration, the Archon a isted at the solemnity, and the priests that officiated were honoured with the most dignified seats at the public games. At first they were celebrated with great simplicity, and the time was consecrated to mirth. It was then usual to bring a ve el of wine adorned with a vine branch, after which followed a goat, a basket of figs, and the φαλλοι . The worshippers imitated in their dre and actions the poetical fictions concerning Bacchus. They clothed themselves in fawns’ skins, fine linen, and mitres; they carried thyrsi, drums, pipes, and flutes, and crowned themselves with garlands of ivy, vine, fir, . Some imitated Silenus, Pan, and the Satyrs by the uncouth manner of their dre , and their fantastical motions. Some rode upon a es, and others drove the goats to slaughter for the sacrifice. In this manner both sexes joined in the solemnity, and ran about the hills and country, nodding their heads, dancing in ridiculous postures, and filling the air with hideous shrieks and shouts, and crying aloud, “Evoe Bacche! Io! Io! Evoe! Iacche! Io Bacche! Evohe!” With such solemnities were the festivals of Bacchus celebrated by the Greeks, particularly the A then i ans. In one of these there followed a number of persons carrying sacred ve els, one of which contained water. After these came a select number of noble virgins, carrying little baskets of gold filled with all sorts of fruits. This was the most mysterious part of the solemnity. Serpents were sometimes put in the baskets, and by their wreathing and crawling out they amused and astonished the beholders. After the virgins followed a company of men carrying poles, at the end of which were fastened φαλλοι . The heads of these men, who were called φαλλοφοροι , were crowned with ivy and violets, and their faces covered with other herbs. They marched singing songs upon the occasion of the festivals, called φαλλικα ᾁσματα . Next to the φαλλοφοροι followed the ἰθυφαλλοι in women’s apparel, with white striped garments reaching to the ground; their heads were decked with garlands, and on their hands they wore gloves composed of flowers. Their gestures and actions were like those of a drunken man. Besides these, there were a number of persons called λικνοφοροι , who carried the λικνον or musical van of Bacchus; without their attendance none of the festivals of Bacchus were celebrated with due solemnity, and on that account the god is often called λικνιτης . The festivals of Bacchus were almost innumerable. The name of the most celebrated were the Dionysia ♦ ἀρχαιότερα , at Limnæ in Attica. The chief persons that officiated were 14 women called γεραιραι , venerable . They were appointed by one of the archons, and before their appointment they solemnly took an oath before the archon or his wife, that their body was free from all pollution.――The greater Dionysia, sometimes called ἀστικα or τα κατ’ ἀστυ , as being celebrated within the city , were the most famous. They were supposed to be the same as the preceding.――The le Dionysia, sometimes called τα κατ’ ἀργους , because celebrated in the country , or ληναια , from ληνος , a wine-pre , were, to all appearance, a preparation for the greater festivals. They were celebrated in autumn.――The Dionysia βραυρωνια , observed at Brauron in Attica, were a scene of lewdne , extravagance, and debauchery.――The Dionysia νυκτηλια were observed by the A then i ans in honour of Bacchus Nyctelius. It was unlawful to reveal whatever was seen or done during the celebration.――The Dionysia called ὠμοφαγια , because human victims were offered to the god, or because the priests imitated the eating of raw flesh , were celebrated with much solemnity. The priests put serpents in their hair, and by the wildne of their looks, and the oddity of their actions, they feigned insanity.――The Dionysia ἀρκαδικα were yearly observed in Arcadia, and the children who had been instructed in the music of Phil oxen us and Timotheus, were introduced in a theatre, where they celebrated the festivals of Bacchus by entertaining the spectators with songs, dances, and different exhibitions. There were, besides these, others of inferior note. There was also one observed every three years called Dionysia τριετηρικα , and it is said that Bacchus instituted it himself in commemoration of his Indian expedition, in which he spent three years. There is also another, celebrated every fifth year, as mentioned by the scholiast of Aris toph anes.――All these festivals, in honour of the god of wine, were celebrated by the Greeks with great licentiousne , and they contributed much to the corruption of morals among all ranks of people. They were also introduced into Tuscany, and from thence to Rome. Among the Romans, both sexes promiscuously joined in the celebration during the darkne of night. The drunkenne , the debauchery, and impure actions and indulgencies which soon prevailed at the solemnity, called aloud for the interference of the senate, and the consuls Spurius Post hum i us Albinus and Quintus Martius Philip pus made a strict examination concerning the propriety and superstitious forms of the Bacchanalia. The disorder and pollution which was practised with impunity by no le than 7000 votaries of either sex, were beheld with horror and astonishment by the consuls, and the Bacchanalia were for ever banished from Rome by a decree of the senate. They were again reinstituted there in length of time, but not with such licentiousne as before. Euripi des , Bacchæ .— Virgil , Æneid , bk. 11 , li. 737 .— Diodorus , bk. 4 .— Ovid , Metamorphoses , bk. 3 , li. 533 ; bk. 4 , li. 391 ; bk. 6 , li. 587 . ♦ ‘ ἀλχαιωτερα ’ replaced with ‘ ἀρχαιότερα ’