His origins are uncertain, and his cults took many forms; some are described by ancient sources as Thracian, others as Greek. [8] [9] [10] In Orphism, he was variously a son of Zeus and Persephone; a chthonic or underworld aspect of Zeus; or the twice-born son of Zeus and the mortal Semele. The Eleusinian Mysteries identify him with Iacchus, the son or husband of Demeter. Most accounts say he was born in Thrace, traveled abroad, and arrived in Greece as a foreigner. His attribute of "foreignness" as an arriving outsider-god may be inherent and essential to his cults, as he is a god of epiphany, sometimes called "the god that comes". [11] The Lenaea: a far smaller festival honouring Dionysus that took place in January. Due to its smaller size this festival was largely just attended by Athenians. Initially this festival took place 'the Lenaion,' but was later moved into the city by the mid fourth century BC. During the same period, in 440 BC, comedic plays were introduced to the Lenaea, as were tragedies ten years later [6] Comedy featured more heavily in this festival and prizes were awarded to playwrights, as was done during the Dionysia for tragedians. Rules and Regulations On the fifth day comedies were performed, so as to alleviate the heavy feelings brought on by the Tragedies earlier in the festival. Harrison, Stephen (2007). The Cambridge Companion to Horace. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press. pp.307–330. ISBN 9780521536844. , for the culturing aspect of Dionysus and celebrations associated with him.

The pediments were very damaged by time and military conflicts. Considered the archetype of classical sculpture, or even the embodiment of ideal beauty, several of the statues were removed from the building by Lord Elgin's agents in the early nineteenth century and transported to the British Museum in London. Some statues and many fragments are kept at the Acropolis Museum in Athens. Other groups of sculpture, both reliefs at a smaller scale, from the Parthenon are the Metopes of the Parthenon and the Parthenon Frieze.Pochmarski, Erwin. 1974. Das Bild des Dionysos in der Rundplastik der klassischen Zeit Griechenlands. pp. 69–72, Wien: Verlay der Osterreichschen, Akademie der Wissensch. Bromios Βρόμιος ("roaring", as of the wind, primarily relating to the central death/resurrection element of the myth, [48] but also the god's transformations into lion and bull, [49] and the boisterousness of those who drink alcohol. Also cognate with the "roar of thunder", which refers to Dionysus' father, Zeus "the thunderer". [50]) Grimal, Pierre (1999). Dictionnaire de la mythologie grecque et romaine. Grands dictionnaires. Paris: Presses universitaires de France. The fate of the other fragments varied: some were used as building material for houses built on the acropolis; others were bought by European collectors passing through Athens during their Grand Tour. [40] Excavations organized by the Greek state in the 1830s and 1840s brought to light many fragments. [46] Holtzmann, Bernard (2003). L'Acropole d'Athènes: Monuments, cultes et histoire du sanctuaire d'Athéna Polias. Paris: Picard.

Sourvinou-Inwood, C. and Parker, R. (2011). Athenian Myths and Festivals. (Oxford: Oxford University Press) Hermes also served as the messenger of all the gods and was seen as the god of travelers and athletes because of his speed and physical fitness. The Temple of Zeus, situated upon a hill, was the city’s main sanctuary. Ceramic findings indicate local habitation from the first half of the third millennium BC. The sculpture is unlikely to have been one of Praxiteles' famous works, as no ancient replicas of it have been identified. The documentary evidence associating the work with Praxiteles is based on a passing mention by the 2nd century AD traveller Pausanias.

Key Ideas about this Work of Art

In addition, the decor of a Roman well of the first century (Putéal de la Moncloa) preserved in the National Archaeological Museum of Spain evokes the presence of Moirai. [33] As it seems to owe much to the Parthenon pediment, these deities could also attend the birth of Athena. [30] Zeus put Hermes on trial, and ruled that the young god should return the cows he stole at any cost. Again, Hermes proved to be the winner in this situation. While in Pieria, he had invented the lyre, an instrument he built using a turtle shell, two cow’s horns, and sheep gut.