Altar of Dionysus

Dionysus was the god of wine and its associated effects. His origins are shrouded in mystery - both the Greeks and the Thracians lay claim to Dionysus' discovery and patronage. The truth may be that the god was a fusion of a lesser member of the Greek pantheon with a more potent Thracian god, giving him his wide elemental array. This contention over his origin manifests in the shifting images that have been found. Originally, Dionysus was depicted as older, clothed and bearded. As Hellenisation took place, Dionysus became beardless and naked, adopting a more sultry and androgynous image, more in keeping with Greek notions of beauty. Dionysus is perhaps most famously known as Bacchus, a name that superseded Dionysus when he was adopted into the Roman pantheon. Another name for him is Eleuthorios, or 'the liberator', as he sets people free from their cares through music and drink.