Theater of Dionysus, Athens

February 8, 2011

Greetings from Tampa, where we are currently attending the Florida College lectures. This year’s theme is, “Trembling at My Word,” God’s Power for Restoration. It is great to see so many friends, many of whom we’ve known for so long now, and to be able to sing, study, pray and visit together.

Another site we wish to share from ancient Athens is the theater of Dionysus, a major open-air theater and one of the oldest to be preserved. The theater was used in festivals in honor of the wine god Dionysus (same as Greek Bacchus).

Theater of Dionysus in Athens Greece. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

This theater was built in the 6th century BC, then rebuilt in the 4th century BC. It seated between 14,000 and 17,000 occupants.

Dionysus the wine god. Athens Museum. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

This statue of the wine god Dionysus was discovered at Eleusina, located 18 km northwest of the city center of Athens.

This puts me in mind of 1 John 5:21: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

1 Comment | Athens, Bible History and Geography, Bible Study, Greece | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Leon Mauldin

At Pergamum: Temple of Dionysus, the Wine god

May 16, 2010

In Greek mythology, Dionysus, a son of Zeus, was the wine god.  He was also known as Bacchus, his Roman designation.  As we continue to post photos of Pergamum, today we include the temple of Dionysus. The photo below shows the remains of the temple in the center, to the right of the theater.

Temple of Dionysus at Pergamum. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

The placement of the temple in relation to the theater was not accidental. Dionysus was the patron deity of the theater (as well as agriculture). There was an intimate association of Dionysus with drama and public celebrations.  Here is a closer view:

Temple of Dionysus at Pergamum, closer view. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

Worship of this deity predictably included wild drinking and drunkenness. Below is a view showing the approach to the temple.  Twenty five steps led up to the porch.

During the intertestamental period, Antiochus IV severely persecuted the Jews in his effort to Grecianize his subjects and destroy Judaism, with its distinctive features.  Among his atrocities was to force the Jews in Jerusalem to take part in festivities designed to honor the god Dionysus.  We read in 2 Maccabees 6:7:

On the monthly celebration of the king’s birthday, the Jews were taken, under bitter constraint, to partake of the sacrifices; and when a festival of Dionysus was celebrated, they were compelled to wear wreaths of ivy and to walk in the procession in honor of Dionysus.

Sometimes people say that the Bible was fine for the culture of the 1st century, but not for the 21st century. In reality, the Bible did not conform to the culture of the 1st century at all. God’s word then and now calls for people to be His own special people, not conformed to the world, but transformed (Rom. 12:1-2).

Dionysus/Bacchus, the wine god. Izmir Museum. Photo by Leon Mauldin.

It is sad that so many today in reality worship the wine god in their abuse of alcohol! (cf. Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-11)

1 Comment | Archaeology, Bible History and Geography, Bible Study | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Leon Mauldin

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