Thyrsus
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| - | In [[Greek mythology]], '''Maenads''' (Greek: Μαινάδες) were the inspired and [[frenzied]] female worshippers of [[Dionysus]], the [[Greek mythology|Greek]] god of [[mystery religion|mystery]], [[wine]], and [[intoxication]], the [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] god [[Dionysus|Bacchus]]. Their name literally translates as "[[raving]] ones". They were known as [[wild]], [[insane]] [[women]] who could not be reasoned with. The mysteries of Dionysus inspired the women to [[ecstasy (emotion)|ecstatic]] frenzy; they indulged in copious amounts of [[violence]], [[bloodletting]], [[sexual activity]], self-[[intoxication]], and [[mutilation]]. They were usually pictured as crowned with [[vine]] leaves, clothed in [[deer|fawn]]skins and carrying the [[thyrsus]], and dancing with wild [[abandon]]. The Maenads are the most significant members of the [[Thiasus]], the retinue of Dionysus. | + | In [[Greek mythology]], a '''thyrsus''' ('''thyrsos''') was a staff of [[ferula|giant fennel]] (''Ferula communis'') covered with [[ivy]] vines and leaves, sometimes wound with [[taenia]]e and always topped with a [[pine]] [[conifer cone|cone]]. These staffs were carried by [[Dionysus]] and his followers. [[Euripides]] wrote that [[honey]] dripped from the thyrsos staves that the [[Dionysus|Bacchic]] [[maenad]]s carried. The thyrsus was a sacred instrument at religious rituals and [[fete]]s. |
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| - | In [[Macedon]], according to [[Plutarch]]'s ''Life of Alexander'', they were called ''Mimallones'' and ''Klodones''. In Greece they were described as ''Bacchae'', ''Bassarides'', ''Thyiades'', ''Potniades'' and other epithets. | + | |
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| - | The Maenads were entranced women, wandering under the orgiastic spell of Dionysus through the forests and hills. The maddened Hellenic women of real life were mythologized as the ''mad women'' who were nurses of Dionysus in [[Nysa]]: "he that on a time drave down over the sacred mount of Nysa the nursing mothers of mad Dionysus; and they all let fall to the ground their wands." (''Iliad'', VI.130ff). They went into the mountains at night and practised strange rites. | + | |
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| - | The Maenads were also known as '''Bassarids''' (or '''Bacchae''' or '''Bacchantes''') in [[Roman mythology]], after the penchant of the equivalent Roman god, Bacchus, to wear a [[fox]]-skin, a ''bassaris''. | + | |
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| - | In [[Euripides]]' play ''[[The Bacchae]]'', [[Thebes (Greece)|Theban]] Maenads murdered [[Pentheus|King Pentheus]] after he banned the worship of Dionysus. Dionysus, Pentheus' cousin, himself lured Pentheus to the woods, where the Maenads tore him apart. His corpse was mutilated by his own mother, [[Agave (mythology)|Agave]], who tore off his head, believing it to be that of a lion. | + | |
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| - | A group of Maenads also killed [[Orpheus]]. | + | |
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| - | In Greek vase-painting, the frolicking of Maenads and Dionysus is often a theme depicted on Greek [[krater]]s, used to mix water and wine. These scenes show the Maenads in their frenzy running in the forests, often tearing to pieces any animal they happen to come across. | + | |
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| - | See also [[Icarius]], [[Butes]], [[Dryas]], and [[Minyades]] for other examples of Dionysus inflicting insanity upon women as a curse. | + | |
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In Greek mythology, a thyrsus (thyrsos) was a staff of giant fennel (Ferula communis) covered with ivy vines and leaves, sometimes wound with taeniae and always topped with a pine cone. These staffs were carried by Dionysus and his followers. Euripides wrote that honey dripped from the thyrsos staves that the Bacchic maenads carried. The thyrsus was a sacred instrument at religious rituals and fetes.
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