The Nymphs and Dionysus

  • Ana Isabel Jiménez San Cristóbal Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Keywords: Nymphs, Dionysus, maenads, Bacchae, water, wine, miracles

Abstract

The present paper aims to study the sources in which Dionysus and the Nymphs intersect and to analyse a series of prodigies in which both take part. In Greek literature and iconography, the Nymphs appear as the nursemaids of Dionysus and, once they have finished breeding, they become his faithful followers, i.e. the maenads and bacchae who celebrate his rites in the midst of nature, dancing and running through the mountains in his company. The identification of the Nymphs with water and that of Dionysus with wine conveys the image that the Nymphs make the god grow, soften and temper him, just as water does with wine. In Haliartus, Naxos and Nicaea the Nymphs and Dionysus are involved in prodigies in which a stream of water is transformed or takes on the appearance of wine. The miracles generally take place during Dionysian festivals and are all connected with marriage.

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Published
2022-03-02
How to Cite
Jiménez San Cristóbal A. I. (2022). The Nymphs and Dionysus. Cuadernos de Filología Clásica. Estudios griegos e indoeuropeos, 32, 161-182. https://doi.org/10.5209/cfcg.80754
Section
Articles