Dionysus was much, much more than a partying god of wine
(Bacchus by Caravaggio, [Public domain] via Creative Commons)
Remembering a god
Of all the old Greek and Roman gods, Dionysus (also known as Bacchus and Liber Pater) may be the most underestimated and misrepresented in the minds of modern-day people. While Zeus, Poseidon, Ares, Hades and Athena remain well remembered in novels, movies and videogames, Dionysus remains largely forgotten. Nowadays, Dionysus is mostly remembered as a toga-wearing (though he mostly wore fawn pelts) god of wine and parties. While this depiction is partially true, this god was much more powerful, and much more influential, than a mere god of good times. Dionysus was a god of earth who controlled plants and animals (and everything that derives from them), as well as having the ability to inspire great ecstasy or great rage—like the wine he is remembered by.
