Statue

Date600-260 BC

MediumTerracotta

ClassificationsSculpture

Terms

Object numberC00555

DescriptionThe statue depicts the young Dionysus, the Greek (Roman: Bacchus) god of wine and intoxication, riding a pig.

Dionysus' festival, The Dyonisia, was celebrated in March. In Rome he was known as Bacchus. The Bacchanalia, orgies in honor of Dionysus, were introduced in Rome around 200 BCE. These infamous celebrations, notorious for their sexual and criminal character, got so out of hand that they were forbidden by the Roman Senate in 186 BCE. Bacchus is also identified with the old-Italian god Liber.

It is not clear whether this piece comes from either Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome or Empire.

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