Latest news with #MysteriesofDionysus
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Found a Life-Size Fresco of a Mysterious Cult in Pompeii
A nearly life-size fresco just discovered in Pompeii depicts the initiation rituals of the mystery cult of Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy. The fresco was over 100 years old when the eruption of Mount Vesuvius destroyed the city. In the room next door, archaeologists found a black reception area decorated with scenes from the Trojan War. To say there's a lot of wine flowing across the nearly life-size fresco recently discovered in Italy's ash-buried Pompeii would be an understatement. And it should come as no shock that the beverage plays a major role in the artwork, as it's an ode to Dionysus, the god of wine and ecstasy. But Dionysus is associated with more than just wine. He's also closely tied to an eponymous mystery cult, referred to as such because only those initiated into it knew the secrets. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., it poured ash over Pompeii, freezing it in time. This unique preservation has made the city into a treasure trove of archaeological discoveries from the era. The fresco—found covering three walls of a banquet room in a residence dubbed 'Casa del Thiasus,' according to a statement from the Pompeii Sites organization—was roughly 100 years old when Vesuvius destroyed the city. Dated to between 40 and 30 B.C. at the time of the eruption, it depicts the initiation ritual necessitated to enter the cult, a process known as the Mysteries of Dionysus. 'Behind these magnificent paintings, which play with illusion and reality, we can observe the signs of a religious crisis that was affecting the ancient world,' said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and co-author of an initial study on the new discovery, according to a statement, 'but we can also grasp the grandeur of a ritual that dates back to an archaic world, at least until the second millennium B.C., to the god Dionysus worshipped by the Mycenaeans and the Cretans, who was also known as Zagreus, lord of wild animals.' The painted scenes atop a red background show maenads, the female followers of Dionysus, as dancers and hunters with slaughtered goat kids on their bare shoulders and swords and goat intestines in their hands. Drunken woodland gods, called satyrs, play double flutes, while another sacrifices wine by squirting it into a bowl. At the center of the art is a clothed woman with an old Silenus (a god of wine-making and drunkenness and tutor to Dionysus) holding a torch. She appears as a mortal woman about to be initiated into the Mysteries of Dionysus through a nighttime ritual. The scene also features live and sacrificed animals, including a fawn and a boar, showing a mix of revelry and sacrifice. 'The question is, what do you want to be in life,' Zuchtriegel said at an unveiling of the site, according to Reuters, 'the hunter or the prey?' Alessandro Giuli, Italy's Minister of Culture, said in a statement that the artwork provides an 'exceptional historical document and, together with the fresco of the Villa of the Mysteries [a similar painting discovered in Pompeii over 100 years ago] constitutes a one-of-a-kind, making Pompeii an extraordinary testimony to an aspect of life in classical Mediterranean life that is largely unknown.' Zuchtriegel said that the Casa del Thiasus painting shows the 'wild, untameable side of women; the woman who abandons her children, the house and the city, who breaks free from male order to dance freely, go hunting and eat raw meat in the mountains and the woods; in other words, the direct opposite of the 'nice' woman who emulates Venus, the goddess of love and marriage, the woman who looks at herself in the mirror and 'dolls herself up.'''Both the frieze in the House of Thiasus and in the Villa of the Mysteries show a woman as suspended, as oscillating between these two extremes, two forms of the female being at the time,' Zuchtriegel continued, adding that while the painting has profound religious meaning, it was also designed to decorate a banqueting area and offer atmosphere for a feast 'rather like when we find a copy of Michelangelo's Creation of Adam on the wall of an Italian restaurant in New York.' During the excavation, the team found a black reception room decorated with scenes from the Trojan War leading to the banquet hall. The frescoes were on three of the banquet hall's walls, with the fourth side of the room open to a garden. Nearby, the team located a shrine to the four seasons and a large bath complex. The site is now open to visitors. Cult membership is not included in the price of admission. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Telegraph
26-02-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Secrets of female cult devoted to god of ecstasy unearthed at Pompeii
Archaeologists in Pompeii have unearthed a rare depiction of initiation rites into a secret female cult that centred on Dionysus, the ancient Greek god of wine, fertility and ecstasy. The vibrant frescoes depict female devotees of the cult hunting in the woods, killing and eviscerating wild animals and cavorting in states of ritualistic ecstasy. One holds a sword while another has the entrails of an animal in her hands. Some are already members of the Dionysian cult while others are being initiated through secret rites, which are still not fully understood by modern scholars. The frescoes are a rare pictorial representation of the cult which remains shrouded in mystery after 2,000 years. At the centre of the tableau is a depiction of an elegantly dressed woman who is about to be initiated into the cult. Known as the Mysteries of Dionysus, the initiation rituals promised spiritual enlightenment and a blessed afterlife. The frescoes were painted around 30 years before the birth of Christ. They complement famous frescoes in the nearby Villa of the Mysteries, which were uncovered 100 years ago. Together they are the only known depictions of the cult of Dionysus that have survived from the ancient world. The libertine women represent the stark opposite of how ancient Romans expected women in polite society to behave. 'They are the antithesis of Roman noble women who stay at home weaving, managing the house and looking after the children,' Dr Sophie Hay, a British archaeologist at Pompeii, told The Telegraph. 'They are terrifying hunters. They're eating raw meat. One has a dead deer over her shoulder, another is holding the innards of an animal. These women have abandoned living at home, gone into the woods and are living in the wilds. It's very rare to find pictorial evidence of these practices. It is a mysterious cult – the initiation rites were never written down.' The frescoes, featuring human figures that are almost life size, cover three sides of a large banqueting hall. The fourth side would have opened onto a garden or courtyard. 'For the ancients, the Dionysus followers expressed the wild, indomitable side of women – the woman who abandoned her children, her home and the city, who left the male-dominated order to dance freely, go hunting and eat raw meat in the mountains and forests; the opposite of the gentle woman who emulates Venus, the goddess of love and marriage, the woman who looks at herself in the mirror, who 'makes herself beautiful',' said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the archaeological site south of Naples. 'The frescoes have a deeply religious significance, although here their purpose was to adorn a room used for banquets and parties – a bit like when you see a poster of the Creation of Adam by Michelangelo in an Italian restaurant in New York, to create a bit of atmosphere.' Dionysian cults probably originated in ancient Greece in the second millennium BC. They then arrived in the Roman Empire around 200BC via Greek colonies that were established in southern Italy. A frieze that runs above the frescoes depicts both live and sacrificed animals, including a deer, roosters and a boar that has had its stomach split open with a knife. The images reflect the dual nature of Dionysian worship: revelry combined with primal sacrifice. There are also depictions of satyrs playing flutes. 'In antiquity there existed a number of cults, among which was the cult of Dionysus, which were open only to those who performed an initiation ritual,' said a statement from the archaeological site. 'These cults were called 'mysteries' because only the initiated could know their secrets. Often, they were connected to the promise of a better life, both in this world and in the one beyond the grave.' Alessandro Giuli, Italy's culture minister, hailed the frescoes as an extraordinary find. He said they represent 'something unique, of which there are few traces among archaeological testimonies that aren't simply literary sources. It truly represents an opening into an extraordinary world. Alongside the Villa of the Mysteries, this fresco forms an unparalleled testament to the lesser-known aspects of ancient Mediterranean life'. The frescoes are just the latest in a string of remarkable finds that have emerged from a period of intensive excavation at Pompeii, which was buried in ash and pumice when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD79. Around a third of the ancient site remains unexcavated. Last month, archaeologists discovered a private spa complex belonging to a member of the ancient Roman elite, complete with enormous plunge pool and hot baths. It is located next to the remains of a richly decorated dining hall, meaning that guests would have been able to enjoy a long, hot soak before attending a banquet. Other recent discoveries include the remains of a bakery, a laundry and a villa dining room with black walls decorated with scenes from the story of the Trojan War.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Secrets of female cult devoted to god of ecstasy unearthed at Pompeii
Archaeologists in Pompeii have unearthed a rare depiction of initiation rites into a secret female cult that centred on Dionysus, the ancient Greek god of wine, fertility and ecstasy. The vibrant frescoes depict female devotees of the cult hunting in the woods, killing and eviscerating wild animals and cavorting in states of ritualistic ecstasy. One holds a sword while another has the entrails of an animal in her hands. Some are already members of the Dionysian cult while others are being initiated through secret rites, which are still not fully understood by modern scholars. The frescoes are a rare pictorial representation of the cult which remains shrouded in mystery after 2,000 years. At the centre of the tableau is a depiction of an elegantly dressed woman who is about to be initiated into the cult. Known as the Mysteries of Dionysus, the initiation rituals promised spiritual enlightenment and a blessed afterlife. The frescoes were painted around 30 years before the birth of Christ. They complement famous frescoes in the nearby Villa of the Mysteries, which were uncovered 100 years ago. Together they are the only known depictions of the cult of Dionysus that have survived from the ancient world. The libertine women represent the stark opposite of how ancient Romans expected women in polite society to behave. 'They are the antithesis of Roman noble women who stay at home weaving, managing the house and looking after the children,' Dr Sophie Hay, a British archaeologist at Pompeii, told The Telegraph. 'They are terrifying hunters. They're eating raw meat. One has a dead deer over her shoulder, another is holding the innards of an animal. These women have abandoned living at home, gone into the woods and are living in the wilds. It's very rare to find pictorial evidence of these practices. It is a mysterious cult – the initiation rites were never written down.' The frescoes, featuring human figures that are almost life size, cover three sides of a large banqueting hall. The fourth side would have opened onto a garden or courtyard. 'For the ancients, the Dionysus followers expressed the wild, indomitable side of women – the woman who abandoned her children, her home and the city, who left the male-dominated order to dance freely, go hunting and eat raw meat in the mountains and forests; the opposite of the gentle woman who emulates Venus, the goddess of love and marriage, the woman who looks at herself in the mirror, who 'makes herself beautiful',' said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the archaeological site south of Naples. 'The frescoes have a deeply religious significance, although here their purpose was to adorn a room used for banquets and parties – a bit like when you see a poster of the Creation of Adam by Michelangelo in an Italian restaurant in New York, to create a bit of atmosphere.' Dionysian cults probably originated in ancient Greece in the second millennium BC. They then arrived in the Roman Empire around 200BC via Greek colonies that were established in southern Italy. A frieze that runs above the frescoes depicts both live and sacrificed animals, including a deer, roosters and a boar that has had its stomach split open with a knife. The images reflect the dual nature of Dionysian worship: revelry combined with primal sacrifice. There are also depictions of satyrs playing flutes. 'In antiquity there existed a number of cults, among which was the cult of Dionysus, which were open only to those who performed an initiation ritual,' said a statement from the archaeological site. 'These cults were called 'mysteries' because only the initiated could know their secrets. Often, they were connected to the promise of a better life, both in this world and in the one beyond the grave.' Alessandro Giuli, Italy's culture minister, hailed the frescoes as an extraordinary find. He said they represent 'something unique, of which there are few traces among archaeological testimonies that aren't simply literary sources. It truly represents an opening into an extraordinary world. Alongside the Villa of the Mysteries, this fresco forms an unparalleled testament to the lesser-known aspects of ancient Mediterranean life'. The frescoes are just the latest in a string of remarkable finds that have emerged from a period of intensive excavation at Pompeii, which was buried in ash and pumice when nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD79. Around a third of the ancient site remains unexcavated. Last month, archaeologists discovered a private spa complex belonging to a member of the ancient Roman elite, complete with enormous plunge pool and hot baths. It is located next to the remains of a richly decorated dining hall, meaning that guests would have been able to enjoy a long, hot soak before attending a banquet. Other recent discoveries include the remains of a bakery, a laundry and a villa dining room with black walls decorated with scenes from the story of the Trojan War. Pompeii's villas, gymnasiums, bars and brothels were visited last year by more than four million people. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Independent
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Secrets of ancient Pompeii revealed in newly discovered frescoes
Archaeologists working in Pompeii have unearthed a series of rare, almost life-size frescoes. The discovery provides new clues into the religious life of the city before its destruction by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It includes a large frieze extending across three walls of a banquet hall. The vivid images depict initiation rites for followers of Dionysus, the ancient Greek god associated with wine, fertility, theatre, and religious ecstasy. These initiation rituals, known as the Mysteries of Dionysus, were secretive religious ceremonies dedicated to the god. They promised spiritual enlightenment and potentially a blessed afterlife. Dating back to 40-30 BC, the fresco portrays Dionysian followers in states of ritualistic ecstasy, engaged in dancing and hunting. The artwork bears similarities to the frescoes of the nearby Villa of the Mysteries, discovered a century earlier. "In 100 years' time, today will be remembered as historic because the discovery we are presenting is historic," Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, who attended the unveiling of the frescoes, said. "Alongside the Villa of the Mysteries, this fresco forms an unparalleled testament to the lesser-known aspects of ancient Mediterranean life." The large frieze depicts female followers of Dionysus as both dancers and hunters, carrying slaughtered goats or holding swords and animal entrails. At its centre, a fresco shows an elegantly dressed woman, possibly awaiting initiation into the mysteries. The upper frieze displays live and sacrificed animals, including a fawn, a gutted boar, roosters, and fish. Researchers suggested this juxtaposition highlighted the dual nature of Dionysian worship, blending celebration with primal sacrifice. "The question is, what do you want to be in life, the hunter or the prey?" said the director of Pompeii, Gabriel Zuchtriegel. The once-thriving city of Pompeii and the surrounding countryside in southern Italy were submerged by ash when Mount Vesuvius exploded, killing thousands of Romans who had no idea they were living alongside one of Europe's biggest volcanoes. The archaeological site covers approximately 66 hectares (165 acres), with about 44 hectares fully excavated. The latest dig is in an area known as Regio IX which began in early 2023 and has so far revealed over 50 rooms. Some of the recent discoveries include a black salon depicting scenes from the Trojan War, an extensive bath complex and a fresco that depicts what might be an ancestor of the Italian pizza.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rare frescoes unearthed in Pompeii shed light on ancient rituals
By Crispian Balmer ROME (Reuters) - Archaeologists in Pompeii have uncovered rare, nearly life-sized frescoes that offer fresh insight into religious practices in the ancient city before it was destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the site said on Wednesday. The discovery features a large-scale frieze that spans three walls of a banquet hall, presenting vivid imagery of the initiation rites for followers of Dionysus - the ancient Greek god of wine, fertility, theatre and religious ecstasy. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The initiation rituals, known as the Mysteries of Dionysus, were secretive religious rites dedicated to the god, promising spiritual enlightenment and possibly a blessed afterlife. The fresco, dating to 40–30 BC, presents vivid imagery of Dionysian followers in states of ritualistic ecstasy, dancing and hunting, resembling the frescoes of the nearby Villa of the Mysteries which were uncovered 100 years ago. "In 100 years' time, today will be remembered as historic because the discovery we are presenting is historic," said Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli, who attended the unveiling of the frescoes. "Alongside the Villa of the Mysteries, this fresco forms an unparalleled testament to the lesser-known aspects of ancient Mediterranean life." The giant frieze illustrates the female followers of Dionysus as both dancers and fierce hunters, carrying a slaughtered goat on their shoulders or holding a sword and the entrails of an animal in their hands. At the centre, is a fresco of an elegantly dressed woman who is possibly waiting to be initiated into the mysteries. An upper frieze depicts live and sacrificed animals, including a fawn, a freshly gutted boar, roosters, and fish. Researchers said this juxtaposition underscored the dual nature of Dionysian worship, combining revelry with primal sacrifice. "The question is, what do you want to be in life, the hunter or the prey?" said the director of Pompeii, Gabriel Zuchtriegel. The once-thriving city of Pompeii and the surrounding countryside in southern Italy were submerged by ash when Mount Vesuvius exploded, killing thousands of Romans who had no idea they were living alongside one of Europe's biggest volcanoes. The archaeological site covers approximately 66 hectares (165 acres), with about 44 hectares fully excavated. The latest dig is in an area known as Regio IX which began in early 2023 and has so far revealed over 50 rooms. Some of the recent discoveries include a black salon depicting scenes from the Trojan War, an extensive bath complex and a fresco that depicts what might be an ancestor of the Italian pizza.
