by Kenny Francis

Created on: August 22, 2009

Before the story starts keep in mind that Greek mythology is old. Some stories were never written down and have become altered over the years. Keep this in mind if this story does not match exactly as you have heard it before.

Dionysus was the God of Peace, Religion, and most famously Wine

Dionysus (sometimes Dionysos) was an unusual God. He was said to be the only god born of a mortal parent. Zeus fell in love with the young and beatiful Seleme. Seleme became pregnant with Dionysus. Hera, Zeus's wife, found out about the affair and became enraged by her husbands actions. Disguising herself as an old crone (sometimes a nurse) she approached Seleme. Hera cleverly talked Seleme into telling her who the father was. Seleme admitted the father was Zeus. Hera pretended she did not believe Semele, and told her that if she wanted to know for sure ask Zeus to show her himself in all his glory, and to swear by the river styx.

If a God swears by the river Styx they can not break their promise. So, when Semele approached Zeus and demanded he show her himself in all his glory, he had to do it. He revealed himself, no human or mortal can stand to see a god in there true form, Selema died instantly. Zeus not wanting Dionysus to die as well, took him from his mother's womb and sewed him to his thigh.

Months later Dionysus was born. Zeus charged Hermes (messenger of the gods) to take Dionysus away and to hide and protect him. (Here is possibly where the story is the most muddled-there are several versions of where he grew up and how he was raised). Hermes took Dionysus down to the Underworld and asked Percephone to raise him.

When he was an adult he returned to the mortal realm. He soon discovered grapes and there use in wine making. He started to travel the world and show humans the art of wine making. During his travels he was discovered by Hera. In her rage for him living, she cast a spell and made him mad. Dionysus traveled the world blindly, never stopping, never teaching. The Goddess Rhea discovered him as he wandered, and healed him of his disease. After healing Dionysus, Rhea taught him the ways of religion and asked him to travel the world again and teach once more. He first traveled to Asia, then India where he spent several years. Finally, he intended to return to Greece and show them the art of wine making. But several princes opposed him and dreaded the introduction of wine, due to the madness and disorder it brought with it. But, inevitably he returned to Greece, teaching the ways of religion and wine making.

Dionysus was said to be an unusually handsome God. A few years after visiting Greece, he disguised himself as a human and decided to sleep on a beach. As he slept a pirate on a ship noticed him. Thinking he was a prince, the pirates captured him, intending to hold him for ransom or sell him into slavery. Dionysus asked to be let go but the pirates just laughed. He asked again, and again the pirates laughed. And then suddenly, huge grape vines sprang from the ocean, tearing the ship in half. The pirates either jumped or fell in, but Dionysus was a kind, peaceful God and did not wish to see them die. So, as the pirates fell into the water and started to swim, they were all transformed into dolphins.

Shortly after his capture Dionysus was accepted at Mount Olympus.

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