- Bacchanalia
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—bacchanalian, adj., n. —bacchanalianism, n./bak'euh nay"lee euh, -nayl"yeuh/, n., pl. Bacchanalia, Bacchanalias.1. (sometimes used with a pl. v.) a festival in honor of Bacchus. Cf. Dionysia.2. (l.c.) a drunken feast; orgy.[1625-35; < L equiv. to Bacch(us) + -an(us) -AN + -alia, neut. pl. of -ALIS -AL1; prob. modeled on volcanalia. See SATURNALIA]
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or DionysiaIn Greco-Roman religion, any of the festivals of the wine god Bacchus (Dionysus), which probably originated as fertility rites.The most famous Greek festivals included the Greater Dionysia, with its dramatic performances; the Anthesteria; and the Lesser Dionysia, characterized by simple rites. Bacchanalia were introduced from lower Italy into Rome, where they were at first secret, open only to women, and held three times a year. They later admitted men and became as frequent as five times a month. In 186 BC their reputation as orgies led the Senate to prohibit them throughout Italy, except in special cases.* * *
▪ Greco-Roman festivalalso called Dionysia,in Greco-Roman religion, any of the several festivals of Bacchus ( Dionysus), the wine god. They probably originated as rites of fertility gods. The most famous of the Greek Dionysia were in Attica and included the Little, or Rustic, Dionysia, characterized by simple, old-fashioned rites; the Lenaea, which included a festal procession and dramatic performances; the Anthesteria, essentially a drinking feast; the City, or Great, Dionysia (Great Dionysia), accompanied by dramatic performances in the theatre of Dionysus, which was the most famous of all; and the Oschophoria (“Carrying of the Grape Clusters”).Introduced into Rome (Roman religion) from lower Italy, the Bacchanalia were at first held in secret, attended by women only, on three days of the year. Later, admission was extended to men, and celebrations took place as often as five times a month. The reputation of these festivals as orgies led in 186 BC to a decree of the Roman Senate that prohibited the Bacchanalia throughout Italy, except in certain special cases. (Surprisingly, a copy of the decree survives, as does an account by the Roman historian Livy.) Nevertheless, Bacchanalia long continued in the south of Italy.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
