Rites: The Cult Of Dionysus

266 Words2 Pages
The cult of Dionysus was filled with festivals, plays, and rites. The two rites, Dionysia and secret rites of initiation were what made the cult that much powerful. The Dionysia rites were state occasions run by public officials of Athens and were part of communal life. There were four festivals held each year to honour the god, Dionysus. Each one would have events and activities including drinking, plays, and sacrifices. Moreover, they would last from three to five days. Having four festivals that are part the citizens’ life, honouring one god in a year sounds excessive. This is because they were created by tyrants who aimed to create a sense of national unity and shared cultural identity. These festivals also made Dionysus more prevailing.