Dionysus

[S]

Greetings,
In case those interested in reading a bit more about Dionysus have not read it, also try "Dionysus: Myth and Cult" by Walter Otto.
Regards,
Sikander

[Polyxena]

Hi,
Thank you Sikander on this notification.I've found out one interesting definition about Dionysus. We know that Euripides wrote his play "The Bacchae" while he was in the court of king Archelaus of Macedon where he discovered the extreme side of this god (extreme personal actions because of physical and spiritual intoxication effects of wine ... his dual nature). That's why Euripides called him "the most gentle and the most terrible" god. Nick, I've found out also that he came from Phrygia or Lydia (modern Turkey) or Thrace into Greece. That's why, Greece has been called the third set of the Dionysiac movement.Regards, Poliksena

[Nicator]

Thanks Poli. I'd forgotten about Olympias first two names...which one came first Myrtale or your namesake?later Nicator

[Polyxena]

Hi Nick,
According Max, the Plutarch claim is correct: she was born as Polyxena and later she was called Myrtale, Olumpias and Stratonice.
Max also recommended one article from Waldemar Heckel: "Polyxena, the mother of Alexander the Great" - Chiron II 1981 (79-86), but I don't know where to find it.
Regards,
Poliksena

[S]

Greetings Poliksena,
Regarding Dionysus, another researcher that you might find of interest is Vicki Noble, who bases a lot of her work on the findings of the late Marija Gimbutas and others.

[yiannis]

Regarding Otto's book, an excelent one!
Thanks for reminding me that I have it in my library and that I should re-re-re read it!

I'll try to see if the other one you recomended is translated in Greek and read it as well.Yiannis

[S]

Greetings Yiannis,
If you cannot find anything by Ms. Noble, let me know- I might be able to get some of the material sent your way (you can reach me through a shared e-mail philoalexandros@hotmail.com- and yes, I know the "o" should not be there!- just make the subject title "Attn: Sikander"). Noble deals mostly with the women involved in the Dionysic rites, but it makes an interesting companion read to Otto's book.
Regards,
Sikander

[dean]

Hello,After just finishing "The Invisible Enemy" I find this post quite tantalizing.It will be awkward for me to get a copy at the moment of the book you recommend on Dionysus but without wanting to appear lazy do you think that you could let me know of any interesting point you learnt about Dionysus in the book?I must admit that after reading O'Brien's great book, it would be interesting to hear any other views on this god and his effect on Alexander's psyche.Best regards,
Dean.