Bacchus (Dionysus) - Chateau park, Zruc nad Sázavou, Czech Republic - Epic Beings and Creatures on Waymarking.com

The sandstone statue of the Roman God the grape-harvest, winemaking and wine, Bacchus (named as Dionysus by the ancient Greeks) can be found in gardens of Zruc nad Sázavou Chateau. The statue sculpted in a classicist style was made in 1878 by a Czech sculptor Karel Möldner (1825-1902). He is depicted here as a grape picket, holding a grape of wine in his hand with a basket of wine grapes at his feet.

Bacchus was a Roman God of wine and viticulture. Bacchus was known as the inducer of drunkenness, religious ecstasy, and frenzied states of creativity.

The Latin name “Bacchus” descended from the Greek word Bakkhos, an epithet of the god Dionysus. That word Bakkhos was itself derived from the term bakkheia, a Greek word used to describe the frenzied, ecstatic state that the god produced in people. In appropriating the name “Bacchus,” then, the Latins were claiming an aspect of Dionysus for their own god.

“Bacchus” could also be related to the Latin word bacca, meaning “a berry” or “the fruit of a tree or shrub.” In this context, such a word could be referencing grapes, the key ingredient in wine.

Legends and Stories
When exploring the myths surrounding Bacchus, it’s easy to see that he is a duplicate of Dionysus. Their myths are virtually identical except for the names of supporting roles.

The Birth of Bacchus
Bacchus was the son of Jupiter, a god. His mother was a mortal named Semele. Jupiter was married to Juno but had an affair with Semele, resulting in the conception of Bacchus.

Juno learned of the affair and sought revenge against the woman who seduced her husband. Mortals were unable to view gods in their original form. Instead, gods transformed their appearances when they associated with mortals. Knowing very well of this, Juno tricked Semele into seeing Jupiter in his true form and she was burned up by seeing him in his divine form. She had not yet given birth to Bacchus, so Jupiter sewed the baby to his thigh and carried him until he was ready to be born.

Bacchus and Wine
Bacchus was known as the god of agriculture and wine. He spent his childhood in training by Silenus, a great lover of wine. After his training was complete, he chose to share his knowledge with the masses and traveled the world teaching others how to grow the necessary components and turn them into wine. He did this until he took his place at Olympus.

Cited from (visit link)

Time Period: Ancient Approximate Date of Epic Period: 800 B.C. Epic Type: Mythical Exhibit Type: Figure, Statue, 3D Art

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