Dionysus

Zeus fell in love with Princess Semele, daughter of Cadmus, King of Thebes and his wife Harmonia. Both of Semele's parents had gods in their ancestry so she was of immortal descent. He won her love, and told her that he was one of the Olympians, but not which one. She became pregnant with his child.

Hera found out about her husband's infidelity and swore that she would destroy Semele before the child was born. Hera went to Semele in the form of an old woman, who had come to help her nurse the child. Semele began to trust the old woman.

One day Hera said to Semele that the people were whispering that Zeus himself was the father of her child. When Semele said she did not know which god was the father, Hera advised her to insist that the father identified himself, for the honour of her unborn child. Semele eventually agreed with the nurse.

When Zeus next visited her, she made him swear to grant her one wish. He agreed, so when she asked him to show his true form he reluctantly did so. No mortal could survive the sight of a god in his true form, and Semele withered until all that remained was a pile of ash, and her son, Dionysus.

Zeus rescued his son, and Hermes took the baby to be nursed by the nymphs of Mount Nysa. Dionysus grew strong and beautiful and Zeus declared that he should be involved only with man's happiness. Dionysus taught men to take pleasure in poetry, music, plays and dancing. He encouraged them to be happy, despite life's trials and sorrows. He lived on Earth sharing men's troubles, acting as a link between humans and the gods.

Before Dionysus even left his home he met opposition against his cult. Lycurgus, the King of Thrace brought an armed force to the mountain, attacking the nymphs and Dionysus. The god escaped injury by jumping into the sea and diving down to the nymph Thetis, who took care of him. Zeus blinded Lycurgus, and the king died shortly after.

Dionysus returned to land in Chios, but he was quickly taken aboard an Etruscan ship to be sold into slavery. However when the pirates tried to tie him up, the bonds split. The helmsman quickly realised they must Have captured an immortal, and advised they set him free. But no one listened to him thinking they had captured a prince and could get a large ransom for him, so they set sail. Shortly they noticed vines growing from the sails and flowers from the rowlocks. The ship was soon unable to move, and Dionysus had turned into bear who attacked the men. The sailors jumped overboard, and as they touched the water turned into dolphins. The helmsman was spared, and took Dionysus back to land.

Dionysus travelled to the islands and cities of Greece, teaching and building temples for his worship. Sometimes he was welcomed, but often Hera encouraged people to oppose him. Many men also resented the 'women only' aspect of some of Dionysus' rituals, especially as they were secret rites.

When Dionysus returned to Thebes he was declared an impostor by King Pentheus, Cadmus' successor. Pentheus forbade the women of his city from attending the revels on Mount Cithaeron, but some forbade him. He hid on the mountainside to watch the events. Dionysus induced a frenzy on the women and they found the king and tore him apart, thinking him an animal.

Dionysus married Princess Ariadne of Crete on the island of Naxos and the wedding was attended by worshippers from near and far. At the end of the fun filled day, Dionysus threw Ariadne's bridal garland into the sky were it was placed in the stars.

The god and his bride travelled to Argos, where they met opposition from Perseus, another son of Zeus, but not immortal. When Dionysus and his followers arrived, Perseus attacked him with a sword and the two duelled on the shore of Lake Lerna. The crowd and gods watched, all unable to do anything. Dionysus was gravely hurt and jumped into the lake, while Perseus remained, barely conscious. The lake is bottomless and Dionysus sank down to the kingdom of the dead. After a lot of wondering he found his way to Hades and Persephone, and he remained in the underworld until summoned to Olympus by Zeus, where he took Hestia's place as an Olympian. He took with him the spirit of Semele having bargained with Hades for her release and Ariadne, who he retrieved from Earth.