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Dionysus
was the god of wine and inspired madness,
and a major figure of Greek mythology. He
represents not only the intoxicating power
of wine, but also its social and beneficial
influences. The geographical origins of his
cult were unknown, but almost all myths
depicted him as having "foreign" (i.e.
non-Greek) origins. He is the patron deity
of agriculture and the theatre. He was also
known as the Liberator (Eleutherios),
freeing one from one's normal self, by
madness, ecstasy, or wine. The divine
mission of Dionysus was to mingle the music
of the aulos (ancient Greek oboe) and to
bring an end to care and worry. Scholars
have discussed Dionysus' relationship to the
"cult of the souls" and his ability to
preside over communication between the
living and the dead. He is described as
being womanly or "man-womanish," and is
often depicted with the panther, the satyr,
and grapes on a vine.
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