Evelyn De Morgan : Cadmus and
Harmonie, mother of the Amazons (1877) In his madness, Bacchus
comes back to Europe. He reaches Phrygia where he is greeted by a goddess, his
grandmother, who purifies him and initiates him to the rites of her cult. Q1 : Who is this goddess to the Romans? This great goddess
of Phrygia, also called "Grand Mother" (Magna Mater), or Mother of the gods, was
called by various names according to the regions: goddess of Dindyme, of Ida, of the
Bérécynthes, is the goddess of the earth and the animals. Q2 : Who is this goddess for the Greeks? Joachim Wtewael (1566-1638) :
the wedding of Peleuse and Thetis Delivered from his
madness Dionysos reaches Thrace, where he is badly received by the king Lycurgue, who
reigns on the banks of the Strymon. Lycurgue tries to make the god a prisoner, but
fails. Dionysos runs away to Thetis, the Nereide, who gives him asylum in the sea.
Q3 : Who are the Nereides? But Lycurgue throw in
prison the Menades or Bacchantes: faithfuls of Bacchus. Luckily they are
miraculously freed. Q4 : Who painted these nymphs? Andrea Mantegna : The Introduction of the Culte of Cybele to Rome (1506) Lycurgue is hit by a
deadly madness, he cuts his leg and also cuts the extremities of his son. Q5 : What did Lycurgue think he was cutting during his madness? Realizing his error Lycurgue also realizes that his country has been stricken with
sterility. When the oracle is questioned, it is revealed that the anger of Bacchus
will only be appeased if Lycurgue is put to death. It is the Edoniens who draw and
quarter him tied to wild horses.
Q6 : Where does this episode take place? Q7 : What kind of instrument was played by Bacchus' followers to spread terror? Bacchus as
a young man Q8 : Who painted this painting representing Bacchus as a young man? Q9 : On which animal is Bacchus often portrayed? Q10 : What is the name of the double flute which the character with Bacchus plays?
BACCHUS
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