A relief carved marble Panel

Dionysia – Bacchanalia

Italian 18th/19th Century

Dionysus - Bacchus was the ancient Greco-Roman god of wine and festivity. The Dionysia was a large festival in ancient Athens in honor of the god ,Dionysus celebrating the cultivation of vines. The Bacchanalia, or Bacchanal Carnival, were Roman festivals of Bacchus based on various elements of the Greek Dionysia.

Accompanied by satyrs, representing lust, and maenads, dancing girls or nymphs, Bacchus was taught by Silenus, who is often shown in an entourage as old, fat and riding on a donkey. Bacchus is sometimes shown in a chariot pulled by leopards. His consort was the princess Ariadne.

Bacchus and his followers are associated with orgies, hence Bacchanals depict satyrs and nymphs carousing and cavorting.