In the Iliad, when King Lycurgus of Thrace heard that Dionysus was in his kingdom, he imprisoned Dionysus' followers, the Maenads. Dionysus fled and took refuge with Thetis, and sent a drought which stirred the people to revolt. The god then drove King Lycurgus insane and had him slice his own son into pieces with an axe in the belief that he ...

In Greek mythology, maenads (/ ˈ m iː n æ d z /; Ancient Greek: μαινάδες) were the female followers of Dionysus and the most significant members of his retinue, the thiasus. Their name, which comes from μαίνομαι (maínomai, “to rave, to be mad; to rage, to be angry”), [1] literally translates as 'raving ones'.

Sep 28, 2024 · The followers of the Cult of Dionysus were diverse, spanning various ages, genders, and social classes. Many were drawn to the cult for its promise of liberation from societal constraints, as well as the opportunity for communal bonding through shared experiences of …

Jan 21, 2025 · Dionysus, also called Bacchus, in Greco-Roman religion, a nature god of fruitfulness and vegetation, especially known as a god of wine and ecstasy. In early Greek art he was represented as a bearded man, but later he was portrayed as youthful and effeminate.

The Maenads, often referred to as the "raving ones," were the female followers of Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and ritual madness. Known for their frenzied states and uninhibited dances in the forests and mountains, the Maenads embody the primal aspects of human nature and the thin line between civilization and wildness.

Sep 28, 2024 · II. The Friends of Dionysus A. The Maenads: Followers and Worshippers. The Maenads, also known as the Bacchae, are female followers of Dionysus who are central to his worship. They are often depicted as frenzied women, intoxicated by wine and liberated from societal constraints.

Dec 28, 2024 · maenad, female follower of the Greek god of wine, Dionysus. The word maenad comes from the Greek maenades, meaning “mad” or “demented.” During the orgiastic rites of Dionysus, maenads roamed the mountains and forests performing frenzied, ecstatic dances and were believed to be possessed by the god.

Unlike other gods, Dionysus was not merely a god to be worshipped, but he was also present within his followers; at those times, a man would possess supernatural powers and was able for things he would not be able to do otherwise.

The Maenads of Greek mythology were a group of female followers of the god Dionysus. They were often depicted in art and literature as wild, ecstatic women, known for their frenzied, ecstatic dancing and chanting.

Aug 8, 2021 · Maenads or mainades were women devoted to the god Bacchus (Dionysus, in Greek mythology). Their name originally meant “raving ones,” as they were believed to be possessed by the god. While also under the god’s influence, these women possessed supernatural abilities and strength.