Introduction:

Dionysus is the god of wine, grape, theater, fertility of nature, party, wilderness vegetation, predators big cats, and madness. He is also the patron of arts. His roman name is Bacchus. He usually is a young man with a ivy crown on his head and have a thyrsus which is staff wounded with ivy in his hands. He is the son of Zeus and Semele, the princess of Thebes. He is the only god with a mortal mother. He has a unlucky youth as Hera dislike him very much and he been ripped apart more than one time. He has many followers like satyrs and wild women. His symbols are thyrsus, grapevine, tiger, panther, and leopard.

Personality:

Dionysus' personality is two-sided like wine. Wine can make people relax and have fun but have a big side effects like drunk and a little of memory loss. He is usually a relaxed and laid-back god. He can a cruel god or a joy-god. He can be kind when the other gods are not or he can turn people mad. He can be the most unpredictable gods on Olympus.

Relationship:

Dionysus was not on a good terms with Hera. She arranged for the Titans to kill him. They ripped him apart. Fortunately, the titan, Rhea brought him back to life. Zeus send him to the mountain nymphs to be raised for his protection. There is the starting point to his learning of winemaking.

Birth:

He was only god that has a mortal mother, Semele. Zeus promised Semele to grant her one wish. She even made his swear on the River Styx. Zeus was blinded by love and agreed. She asked Zeus to show her his true form. Zeus knew that Semele will be burn to crisp when he does it, but he has to do it. So he did and Semele died but he managed to save his Dionysus. Zeus stitched him into his thigh to hold him until he was ready to be born. This may be the reason that he was immortal.

Interesting Facts:

He married a mortal who he turns into a goddess. She is Ariadne, princess of Crete. She is the one who gave Theseus the string to lead him back in Labyrinth.

Other than his birth, Dionysus doesn't have many big myths. It is mostly small stories with his followers.