Greek theatre began as religious rituals for Dionysus; a masked figure adopted a persona to deliver a dramatic monologue. As the art form developed, other actors were added to the performances, and even secular topics were introduced. Masks remained important.

Things I've enjoyed reading this morning:

On the recently-discovered Dionysian cult frescoes in Pompeii:
https://hyperallergic.com/993009/stunning-frescoes-of-dionysian-cult-rituals-unearthed-in-pompeii/

Anything, anything by Anne Carson:
https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v47/n04/anne-carson/beware-the-man-whose-handwriting-sways-like-a-reed-in-the-wind

The newsletter that always brings me such interesting tidbits:
https://pastsimperfect.substack.com/p/pasts-imperfect-3625

Archaeologists have discovered a monumental frieze depicting worshipers of Dionysus in a newly excavated portion of Pompeii. The near-life-size paintings portray a procession of Dionysiac figures participating in an initiation ritual as part of the deity’s mystery cult.

https://wildhunt.org/2025/03/maenads-satyrs-and-initiates-friezes-of-dionysiac-mysteries-uncovered-in-pompeii.html

"Liberate" teableau for 02/22/25

Leopards & grapes are symbols of Dionysus, who for 2600+ years has represented Nature, inspiration, the arts, gathering, joy, mobility, the foreigner, abundance, & curing disease~ which are all being stolen away.

He also represents LIBERATION.

And even resurrection.

#Antinous is traditionally identified with #Dionysus/#Bacchus. 12 Feb is the Greek #DayOfCups feast of #Dionysos. Tonight the dead visit mortals who miss them. Try a #séance or raise a cup to enter an altered state. https://antinousstars.blogspot.com/2025/02/raise-glass-to-dead-during-antinous.html #Lansdowne bust Fitzwilliam Museum.

January 6th is the Minor #Bacchanalia: the first Roman wine festival of the new year, the triumphal procession of the entourage of #Dionysus, signaling the Victory of mortal #Antinous over death. Raise your glass to immortal Antinous the God! Full report: https://antinousstars.blogspot.com/2025/01/we-toast-antinous-gay-god-during-minor.html

Happy new year from Dionysos

Do you have a Holiday Hangover? #Antinous says wear an ivy wreath like #Dionysus/#Bacchus. Ivy wards off ill effects of alcohol, and makes you look divine! A crumbling papyrus from #Oxyrhynchus prescribeds medicinal wreaths to cure everything from headache to hemorrhoids: https://antinousgaygod.blogspot.com/2019/04/antinous-era-egyptian-hangover-cure-was.html

Do you have a Holiday Hangover? #Antinous says wear an ivy wreath like #Dionysus / #Bacchus. Ivy wards off ill effects of alcohol, and makes you look divine! A crumbling papyrus from #Oxyrhynchus prescribes medicinal wreaths to cure everything from headache to hemorrhoids: https://antinousgaygod.blogspot.com/2019/04/antinous-era-egyptian-hangover-cure-was.html

#2025 #Hellenic #Attic #Calendars are live! Presented by the #TempleofDionysus and #NaósofDionysusEleuthereus!

We have four editions:
The #Athenian - Traditional Hellenic Attic Calendar!
The #Dionysus - Dionysian festivals both old and new!
The #Hecate - Dionysian version that includes the #Wiccan Sabbats!
The #Hermes - Minimalist PDF version you can take on the go!

https://templeofdionysus.org/calendars

We also have a free #google calendar found here:
www.templeofdionysus.org/google-calendar

Greek theatre began as religious rituals for Dionysus, in which a masked figure would honor the god by performing a dramatic monologue in character. As the art form developed, other actors were added to the performances, as were more secular topics. Masks remained important.

#NovemberCountdown to the birthday of Antinous on November 27th: #Antinous as #Dionysus with exquisite Thyrsus staff and ivy wreath at the Glyptoteket in Copenhagen.

at work on Dionysus

Got a touch of Maenad energy rn -- if you know, you know.

if you don't, check out our #Maenad episode: https://starrytimepodcast.podbean.com/e/asterism-the-maenads-in-mythology/

:https://heritage.southwark.gov.uk/objects/1112/maenads

Like stories about "misbehaving" & wild women who dance like no one is watching?!

Then, check out our #podcast episode about the #mythology of the Maenads here: https://starrytimepodcast.podbean.com/e/asterism-the-maenads-in-mythology/

:https://hvrd.art/o/288089

October 15th is #RedWineDay. Raise your glass of wine to #Antinous as #Dionysus/#Bacchus, god of ecstatic transcendence over death. Art by #AntoniusSubia. #NationalRedWineDay

Perperikon, an ancient Thracian city in Bulgaria, reveals new discoveries, including Roman-era altars possibly dedicated to underworld gods. Excavations uncover connections to Dionysus worship, mystery cults, and possibly psychopomps and underworld deities.

https://wildhunt.org/2024/09/new-findings-from-perperikon-an-ancient-center-of-dionysus-veneration.html

Like #Kaos, want more #GreekMyths?

Check out our #mythology focused #podcast episodes of the #constellations, like this one about #Theseus #Ariadne and #Dionysus: https://starrytimepodcast.podbean.com/e/corona-borealis-myths-and-retconstellations/

Watching #Kaos & want more about the original #GreekMyths of:

#Oprheus & Riddy (aka #eurydice)?
https://starrytimepodcast.podbean.com/e/lyra-myths-and-retconstellations/

#Ariadne & #Theseus (and also #Dionysus)?
https://starrytimepodcast.podbean.com/e/corona-borealis-myths-and-retconstellations/

Or #Dionysus's mom??
https://starrytimepodcast.podbean.com/e/corona-australis-myth-and-ret-constellations/