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DIONYSUS TITLES & EPITHETS - Ancient Greek Religion
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Greek Gods Cult (../greek-mythology/greek-gods-cult.html) >> Dionysus Cult (DionysosCult.html)
>> Titles & Epithets
DIONYSOS TITLES
Greek Name
Transliteration
Διονυσος
Dionysos
Latin Spelling
Translation
Dionysus
Liber, Bacchus
DIONYSOS was the Olympian god of wine and festivity.
This page lists his cult titles and poetic epithets.
ENCYCLOPEDIA DIONYSUS TITLES
ACRATO′PHORUS (Akratophoros), a surname of Dionysus, by which he was designated as the
giver of unmixed wine, and worshipped at Phigaleia in Arcadia. (Paus. viii. 39. § 4.)
ACROEITES (Akrôreitês), a surname of Dionysus, under which he was worshipped at Sicyon,
and which is synonymous with Eriphius, under which name he was worshipped at Metapontum in
southern Italy. (Steph. Byz. s. v. Akrôreia.)
ADO′NEUS (Adôneus). 1. A surname of Bacchus, signifies the Ruler. (Auson. Epigr. xxix. 6.) 2.
Adoneus is sometimes used by Latin poets for Adonis. (Plaut. Menaech. i. 2. 35; Catull. xxix. 9.)
AEGO′BOLUS (Aigobolos), the goat-killer, a surname of Dionysus, at Potniae in Boeotia. (Paus.
ix. 8. § 1.)
AESYMNE′TES (Aisumnêtês), a surname of Dionysus, which signifies the Lord, or Ruler, and
under which he was worshipped at Aroë in Achaia. The story about the introduction of his
worship there is as follows: There was at Troy an ancient image of Dionysus, the work of
Hephaestus, which Zeus had once given as a present to Dardanus. It was kept in a chest, and
Cassandra, or, according to others, Aeneas, left this chest behind when she quitted the city,
because she knew that it would do injury to him who possessed it. When the Greeks divided the
spoils of Troy among themselves, this chest fell to the share of the Thessallian Eurypylus, who
on opening it suddenly fell into a state of madness. The oracle of Delphi, when consulted about
his recovery, answered, "Where thou shalt see men performing a strange sacrifice, there shalt
thou dedicate the chest, and there shalt thou settle." When Eurypylus came to Aroë in Achaia, it
was just the season at which its inhabitants offered every year to Artemis Triclaria a human
sacrifice, consisting of the fairest youth and the fairest maiden of the place. This sacrifice was
offered as an atonement for a crime which had once been committed in the temple of the
goddess. But an oracle had declared to them, that they should be released from the necessity of
making this sacrifice, if a foreign divinity should be brought to them by a foreign king. This oracle
was now fulfilled. Eurypylus on seeing the victims led to the altar was cured of his madness and
perceived that this was the place pointed out to him by the oracle; and the Aroëans also, on
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seeing the god in the chest, remembered the old prophecy, stopped the sacrifice, and instituted a
festival of Dionysus Aesymnetes, for this was the name of the god in the chest. Nine men and
nine women were appointed to attend to his worship. During one night of this festival a priest
carried the chest outside the town, and all the children of the place, adorned, as formerly the
victims used to be, with garlands of corn-ears, went down to the banks of the river Meilichius,
which had before been called Ameilichius, hung up their garlands, purified themselves, and then
put on other garlands of ivy, after which they returned to the sanctuary of Dionysus Aesymnetes.
(Paus. vii. 19 and 20.) This tradition, though otherwise very obscure, evidently points to a time
when human sacrifices were abolished at Aroë by the introduction of a new worship. At Patrae in
Achaia there was likewise a temple dedicated to Dionysus Aesymnetes. (Paus. vii. 21. § 12.)
AGRI′ONIUS (Agriônios), a surname of Dionysus, under which he was worshipped at
Orchomenus in Boeotia, and from which his festival Agrionia in that place derived its name. (Dict.
of Ant. p. 30; Müller, Orchom. p. 166, &c.)
AMPHI′ETES or AMPHIE′TERUS (Amphietês), a surname of Dionysus. (Orph. Hymn. 52. 1, 51.
10.) It is believed that at Athens, where the Dionysiac festivals were held annually, the name
signified yearly, while at Thebes, where they were celebrated every third year, it was
interpretated to be synonymous with trietês.
ANTHEUS (Antheus), the blooming, a surname of Dionysus. (Paus. vii. 21. § 2.) Anthius, a
surname which Dionysus bore at Athens, is probably only a different form for Antheus. (Paus. i.
31. § 2.)
BACCHUS. [DIONYSUS.]
BA′SSAREUS (Bassareus), a surname of Dionysus (Hor. Carm. i. 18. 11; Macrob. Sat. i. 18),
which, according to the explanations of the Greeks, is derived from bassara or bassaris, the long
robe which the god himself and the Maenads used to wear in Thrace, and whence the Maenads
themselves are often called bassarae or bassarides. The name of this garment again seems to
be connected with, or rather the same as, bassaris, a fox (Hesych. s. v. bassarai), probably
because it was originally made of fox-skins. Others derive the name Bassareus from a Hebrew
word, according to which its meaning would be the same as the Greek protrugês, that is, the
precursor of the vintage. On some of the vases discovered in southern Italy Dionysus is
represented in a long garment which is commonly considered to be the Thracian bassara.
BRISAEUS (Brisaios), a surname of Dionysus, derived from mount Brisa in Lesbos (Steph. Byz.
s. v. Brisa), or from a nymph Brisa, who was said to have brought up the god. (Schol. ad Pers.
Sat. i. 76.)
BRO′MIUS (Bromios), a surname of Dionysus, which some explain by saying, that he was born
during a storm of thunder and lightning (Diod. iv. 5; Dion Chrys. Or. 27); others derive it from the
nymph Brome, or from the noise of the Bacchantic processions, whence the verb bromeazesthai,
to rage like a Bacchant (Ov. Met. iv. 11; Orph. Lith. xviii. 77.) There is also a my thical personage
of this name. (Apollod. ii. 1. § 5.)
CALYDO′NIUS (Kaludônios), a surname of Dionysus, whose image was carried from Calydon to
Patrae (Paus. vii. 21. § 1), and of Meleager, the hero in the Calydonian hunt. (Ov. Met. viii. 231.)
CRE′SIUS (Krêsios), a surname of Dionysus at Argos, where he had a temple in which Ariadne
was said to be buried. (Paus. ii. 23. § 7.)
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DENDRI′TES (Dendritês), the god of the tree, a surname of Dionysus, which has the same
import as Dasyllius, the giver of foliage. (Plut. Sympos. 5; Paus. i. 43. § 5.)
ELEUTHEREUS (Eleuthereus), a surname of Dionysus, which he derived either from Eleuther,
or the Boeotian town of Eleutherae; but it may also be regarded as equivalent to the Latin Liber,
and thus describes Dionysus as the deliverer of man from care and sorrow. (Paus. i. 20. § 2, 38.
§ 8; Plut. Quaest. Rom. 101.) The form Eleutherius is certainly used in the sense of the deliverer,
and occurs also as the surname of Zeus. (Plut. Sympos. vii. in fin.; Pind. Ol. xii. 1; Strab. ix. p.
412; Tacit. Ann. xv. 64.)
ENORCHES (Enorchês), a son of Thyestes by his sister Daeta, was born out of an egg, and built
a temple to Dionysus, who was hence called Dionysus Enorches, though Enorches may also
describe the god as the dancer. (Tzetz. ad Lycoph. 212 ; Hesych. s. v.)
ENYA′LIUS (Enualios), the warlike, frequently occurs in the Iliad (never in the Odyssey) either as
an epithet of Ares . . . Dionysus, too, is said to have been surnamed Enyalius. (Macrob. Sat. i.
19.)
EUBU′LEUS (Eubouleus). Eubuleus occurs also as a surname of several divinities, and
describes them as gods of good counsel, such as Hades and Dionysus. (Schol. ad Nicand. Alex.
14; Orph. Hymn. 71. 3; Macrob. Sat. i. 18; Plut. Sympos. vii. 9.)
HYES (Huês), the moist or fertilising god, occurs like Hyetius, as a surname of Zeus, as the
sender of rain. (Hesych. s. v. huês.) . . . Hyes was also a surname of Dionysus, or rather of the
Phrygian Sabazius, who was identified sometimes with Dionysus, and sometimes with Zeus.
(Hesych. l.c.; Strab. p. 471.)
INTONSUS, i.e. unshorn, a surname of Apollo and Bacchus, alluding to the eternal youth of
these gods, as the Greek youths allowed their hair to grow until they attained the age of
manhood, though in the case of Apollo it may also allude to his being the god of the sun, whence
the long floating hair would indicate the rays of the sun. (Hom. Il. xx. 39, Hymn. in Apoll. 134;
Horat. Epod. xv. 9; Tibull. i. 4. 34; Ov. Met. iii. 421, Amor. i. 14. 31; Martial, iv. 45.)
ISODAETES (Isodaitês), from daiô, i.e. the god who distributes his gifts equally to all, occurs as
a surname of Dionysus Zagreus. (Plut. de Ei. ap. Delph. 9.)
LAMPTER (Lamptêr), i.e. the shining or torch-bearer, a surname of Dionysus, under which he
was worshipped at Pellene in Achaia, where a festival called lamptêria was celebrated in his
honour. (Paus. vii. 27. § 2.)
LAPHY′STIUS (Laphustios). A surname of Dionysus, from the Boeotian mountain Laphystius,
whence the female Bacchantes were called, in the Macedonian dialect, Laphystiae. (Tzetz. ad
Lycoph. 1236; Miiller, Orchom. p. 168, 2d edit.)
LARISSAEUS (Larissaios, surnames of Zeus and Apollo, derived from the arx Larissa at Argos
(Paus. ii. 24. § 4; Strab. ix. p. 440, xiv. 649; Steph. Byz. s. v. Larissa).
LENAEUS (Lhnaios), a surname of Dionysus, derived from lênos, the wine-press or the vintage.
(Hesych. s. v.; Virg. Georg. ii. 4. 529; Dict. of Ant. s. v. Lenaea.)
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LIMNE′GENES, LIMNAEA, LIMNE′TES (Limnaia os, Limnêtês is, Limnêgenês), i.e. inhabiting or
born in a lake or marsh, is a surname of several divinities who were believed either to have
sprung from a lake, or had their temples near a lake. Instances are, Dionysus at Athens (Eustath.
ad Hom. p. 871; Callim. Fragm. 280, Bentl.; Thuc. ii. 15; Aristoph. Ran. 216; Athen. x. p. 437, xi.
p. 465), and Artemis.
LYAEUS (Luaios), the god who frees men from care and anxiety, a surname of Bacchus.
(Eustath. ad Hom. p. 108; Virg. Georg. ii. 229.)
LY′SIUS (Lusios), i.e. the Deliverer, a surname of Dionysus, under which he was worshipped at
Corinth, where there was a carved image of the god, the whole figure of which was gilt, while the
face was painted red. (Paus. ii. 2. § 5.) He was also worshipped at Sicyon, where the Theban
Phanes was said to have introduced the god (ii. 7. § 6), and at Thebes. In the last-mentioned
place he had a sanctuary near one of the gates, and there was a story that the god had received
the surname from the fact of his once having delivered Theban prisoners from the hands of the
Thracians in the neighbourhood of Haliartus (ix. 16. § 4; Orph. Hymn. 49, 2, &c.)
MEILI′CHIUS (Meilichios), i. e. the god that can be propitiated, or the gracious, is used as a
surname of several divinities. 1. Of Zeus, as the protector of those who honoured him with
propitiatory sacrifice . . . 2. Of Dionysus in the island of Naxos. (Athen. iii. p. 78.)
MELANAEGIS (Melanaigis), i.e. armed or clad with a black aegis, occurred as a surname of
Dionysus at Eleutherae (Suid. s. v. Eleutheros ; Paus. i. 38. § 8), and at Athens (Suid. s. v.
Apatouria; Conon, Narrat. 39; Paus. ii. 35. § 1), and of the Erinnys. (Aeschy. Sept. 700.)
MELPO′MENUS (Melpomenos), or the singer, was a surname of Dionysus at Athens, and in the
Attic demos of Acharne. (Paus. i. 2. § 4, 31. § 3.)
MESATEUS (Mesteus), a surname of Dionysus, derived from the town of Mesatis, where,
according to a tradition at Patrae, he had been educated. (Paus. vii. 18. § 3, 21. § 2.)
METHYMNAEUS (Mêthumnaios), a surname of Dionysus, derived, according to some, from
Methymna, rich in vines. (Hesych. s. v. ; Virg. Georg. ii. 20.) Others derived it from methe (sweet
or wine), as Plutarch (Sympos. iii. 2) and Athenaeus (viii. p. 363)
NYSAEUS, NY′SIUS, NYSEUS, or NYSI′GENA (Nusêïos), a surname of Dionysus, derived from
Nysa, a mountain or city, either in Thrace, Arabia, or India, where he was said to have been
brought up by nymphs. According to some, it was derived from Nisus, who is said to have been
his father, or at least to have educated him. (Hom. Il. vi. 133, Hymn. xxv. 5; Apollon. Rhod. ii.
905, iv. 431; Diod. i. 15, iii. 68; Cic. de Nat. Deor. iii. 23; Virg. Aen. vi. 806; Ov. Met. iv. 13.)
OMA′DIUS (Ômadios), that is, the flesh-eater, a surname of Dionysus, to whom human sacrifices
were offered in Chios and Tenedos. (Orph. Hymn. 51. 7; Porphyr. de Abstin. ii. 55.)
PHLEON (Phleôn), i. e. the giver of plenty, is a surname of Dionysus, describing the god as
promoting the fertility of plants and trees. (Aelian, V.H. iii. 41.) A similar surname of the god is
Phlyus (from phluen; Schol. ad Apollon. Rhod. i. 115.)
PSILAS (Psilas), i.e. "the giver of wings," or "the unbearded," a surname of Dionysus, under
which he was worshipped at Amyclae. (Paus. iii. 19. § 6; Lobeck ad Phrynich. p. 435.)
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SOTER (Sôtêr), i. e. "the Saviour" (Lat. Servator or Sospes), occurs as the surname of several
divinities :-- 1. of Zeus . . . 2. Of Helios (Paus. viii. 31. § 4), and 3. of Bacchus. (Lycoph. 206.)
TAUROCE′PHALUS (Taurokephalos, also Taurokranos, Taurometôpos, &c.), a surname of
Dionysus in the Orphic mysteries. (Orph. Hymn. 51. 2.) It also occurs as a surname of rivers and
the ocean, who were symbolically represented as bulls, to indicate their fertilising effect upon
countries. (Eurip. Iphig. Aul. 275, Orest. 1378 ; Aelian, V. H. ii. 33; Horat. Carm. iv. 14, 25.)
TAURUS (Tauros), a bull, occurs as a surname of Dionysus. (Eurip. Bacch. 918 ; Athen. xi. p.
476; Plut. Quaest. Graec. 36 ; Lycoph. Cass. 209.)
THYO′NEUS (Thuôneus). A surname of Dionysus which has the same meaning as Thyone, both
being formed from thuein, "to be inspired." (Ov. Met. iv. 13; Horat. Carm. i. 17. 23; Oppian,
Cyneg. 27 ; Hesych. s. v. Thuônidês.)
ZAGREUS (Zagreus), a surname of the mystic Dionysus (Dionusos chthonios), whom Zeus, in
the form of a dragon, is said to have begotten by Persephone, previously to her being carried off
by Pluto (Callim. Fragm. 171, ed. Bentl.; Etym. Magn. s. v. ; Orph. Hymn. 29 ; Ov. Met. vi. 114 ;
Nonnus, Dionys. vi. 264). He was torn to pieces by the Titans, though he defended himself
bravely, and assumed various forms; and Athena carried his heart to Zeus. (Tzetz. ad Lycoph.
355 ; Lobeck, Aglaopham. p. 547, &c.)
Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.
CULT TITLES & EPITHETS
The first of Dionysos' cult titles refer to his various divine functions, as god of the Bacchic orgy,
nocturnal revels, fertility, wine, feasts, freedom and salvation, tragedy plays, the underworld:-Greek Name
Transliteration
Βακχος
Bakkhos
Βακχειος
Bakkheios
Ιοβακχος
Iobakkhos
Ιακχος
Iakkhos
Latin Spelling
Translation
Bacchus
Of Bacchic Frenzy
Baccheus
Of Bacchic Frenzy
Iobacchus
Of Ritual Bacchic-Cry
Iacchus
Of Ritual Iacchic-Cry
Greek Name
Transliteration
Ευαστηρ
Euastêr
Βροµιος
Bromios
Λυαιος
Lyaios
Μαινολης
Mainolês
Latin Spelling
Translation
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Evaster
Of Ritual Euoi-Cry
Bromius
Noisy, Boisterous
Lyaeus
--
Maenoles
Mad, Raging
Greek Name
Transliteration
Νυκτελιος
Nyktelios
Λαµπτηρος
Lamptêros
Ἑστιως
Hestiôs
Κωλωτης
Kôlôtês
Latin Spelling
Translation
Nyctelius
Of the Night
Lampterus
Of the Torches
Hestius
Of the Feast
Colotes
Spotted Gecko
Greek Name
Transliteration
Αυξιτης
Auxitês
Φαλλην
Phallên
Ανδρογυνος
Androgynos
Φλεων
Phleôn
Latin Spelling
Translation
Auxites
Giver of Increase
Phallen
Phallic, Of the Phallus
Androgynus
Androgynous (Sexually)
Phleon
Luxuriant (Foliage)
Greek Name
Transliteration
Σταφυλιτης
Staphylitês
Οµφακιτης
Omphakitês
Ληναιος
Lênaios
Λιναιος
Lêinaios
Latin Spelling
Translation
Staphylites
Of the Grape
Omphacites
Of the Unripe Grape
Lenaeus
Of the Wine-Press
Linaeus
Of the Wine-Press
Greek Name
Transliteration
Θεοινος
Theoinos
Αγαθοσ Δαιµον
Agathos Daimon
Προτρυγαιος
Protrygaios
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Οινοψ
Oinops
Ακρατοφορος
Akratophoros
Latin Spelling
Translation
Theoenus
God of Wine
Agathus Daemon
The Good Spirit
Protrygaeus
First of the Vintage
Oenops
Wine-Dark
Acratophorus
Bringer of Mixed Wine
Greek Name
Transliteration
Κισσιος
Kissios
Κιττοφορος
Kittophoros
Ανθιον
Anthion
Κιστοφορος
Kistophoros
Ερεβινθινος
Erebinthinos
Latin Spelling
Translation
Cisseus
Of the Ivy
Cittophorus
Ivy-Bearer
Anthion
Of the Flowers
Cistophorus
Basket-Bearer
Erebinthinus
Of the Chickpea
Greek Name
Transliteration
Διµητωρ
Dimêtôr
Ειραφιωτης
Eiraphiôtês
Αιγοβολος
Aigobolos
Μελαναιγις
Melanaigis
Latin Spelling
Translation
Dimetor
Twice-Born
Iraphiotes
Goat-Kid, Insewn
Aegobolus
Goat-Slayer
Melanaegis
Of the Black Goat-Skin, Dark Aegis
Greek Name
Transliteration
Ταυροφαγος
Taurophagos
Βουφαγος
Bouphagos
Μοσχοφαγος
Moskhophagos
Ανθροπορραιστος
Anthroporraistos
Latin Spelling
Translation
Taurophagus
Bull-Eater
Buphagus
Cow-Eater
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Moschophagus
Calf-Eater
Anthroporraestus
Man-Slayer
Greek Name
Transliteration
Λυσιος
Lysios
Ελευθερευς
Eleuthereus
Ψιλαξ
Psilax
Σαωτης
Saôtês
Σωτηριος
Sôtêrios
Latin Spelling
Translation
Lysius
Of Release, Releasing
Eleuthereus
Of Liberation, Freedom
Psilax
(Uplifted on) Wings
Saotes
Saviour
Soterius
Saviour, Recovery (from Madness)
Greek Name
Transliteration
Πατρωιος
Patrôios
Αισυµνητης
Aisymnêtês
Πολιτης
Politês
Αγυιευς
Agyieus
Latin Spelling
Translation
Patroeus
Paternal, Ancestral (God)
Aesymnetes
Dictator
Polites
Citizen
Agyieus
(Protector) of the Street, the Ways
Greek Name
Transliteration
Μυστης
Mystês
Χθονιος
Khthonios
Ζαγρευς
Zagreus
Σαβαζιος
Zabazios
Μελποµενος
Melpomenos
Latin Spelling
Translation
Mystes
Of the Mysteries
Chthonius
Of the Earth, Chthonic
Zagreus
(Orphic God)
Zabazius
(Phrygian God)
Melpomenus
Singer, Minstrel, Of the Tragedy Play
Another set of cult titles come from locales of shrines and their founders:-Greek Name
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Transliteration
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Ελευθερευς
Eleuthereus
Λευκυανιτης
Leukyanitês
Καλυδωνιος
Kalydônios
Κρης
Krês
Latin Spelling
Translation
Eleuthereus
Of Eleutherae (Attica)
Leucyanites
Of Leucyanias R. (Elis)
Calydonius
Of Calydon (Aetolia)
Cres
Of Crete (Aegean)
Greek Name
Transliteration
Καδµος
Kadmos
Κολωνατες
Kolônates
Λιµναιος
Limnaios
Latin Spelling
Translation
Cadmus
Of Cadmus (hero Thebes)
Colonates
Of the Knoll
Limnaeus
Of the Marsh
The meanings of some of his titles remain obscure:-Greek Name
Transliteration
Δασυλλιος
Dasyllios
Latin Spelling
Translation
Dasyllius
--
CULT TERMS
Some general terms pertaining to the god's cult include:-Greek Name
Transliteration
Διονυσιον
Dionysion
Ληναιον
Lênaion
Διονυσια
Dionysia
Ληναια
Lênaia
Latin Spelling
Translation
Dionysium
Temple of Dionysus
Lenaeum
Temple of Dionysus Lenaeus
Dionysia
Festival of Dionysus
Lenaea
Festival of the Wine-Press
Greek Name
Transliteration
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DIONYSUS TITLES & EPITHETS - Ancient Greek Religion
Θεοινια
Theoinia
Ανθεστηρια
Anthestêria
Απατουρια
Apatouria
Λαµπτηρια
Lamptêria
Latin Spelling
Translation
Theoinia
Wine-God Festival
Anthesteria
Festival of the Flowers
Apaturia
Festival of Deception
Lampteria
Torch Festival
Greek Name
Transliteration
Ασκωλια
Askôlia
Σκιερεια
Skiereia
Φελλος
Phellos
Αστυδροµια
Astydromia
Latin Spelling
Translation
Ascolia
Wine-Skin Festival
Sciria
Festival of the Shade
Phellus
Festival of Rocky Land
Astydromia
Town-Running Festival
Greek Name
Transliteration
Βακχεια
Bakkheia
Θυια
Thyia
Τυρβη
Tyrbê
Latin Spelling
Translation
Baccheia
Bacchic Revelry
Thyia
Festival of Wild Revels
Tyrbe
Festival of Tumult
Months named after the god include:-Greek Name
Transliteration
Ανθεστηριων
Anthestêriôn
Latin Spelling
Translation
Anthesterion
Month of Dionysus Anthesterius
POETIC TITLES & EPITHETS
This list has yet to be compiled.
I. Common Homeric titles of Dionysos.
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II. Common Homeric epithets of Dionysos.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 3. 62. 5 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.) :
"Dionysos was named twice-born (dimetor) by the ancients, counting it as a single and first birth
when the plant is set in the ground and begins to grow, and as a second birth when it becomes
laden with fruit and ripens its grape-clusters--the god thus being considered as having been born
once from the earth and again from the vine."
Aelian, Historical Miscellany 3. 41 (trans. Wilson) (Greek rhetorician C2nd to 3rd A.D.) :
"Note that the ancients used the word phlyein (to luxuriate) of an abundant yield of fruit. So they
called Dionysos Phleon (the Luxuriant), Protrygaios (the First at the Vintage), Staphylites (the
God of the Grape), Omphakites (the god of the unripe grape), and various other epithets."
Suidas s.v. Athenaion (trans. Suda On Line) (Byzantine Greek lexicon C10th A.D.) :
"Apollonion is short for the temple of Apollon . . . and Dionysion [for Dionysos]."
Suidas s.v. Dionysos :
"Dionysos : The son of Semele. [So named] from accomplishing (dianuein) for each of those who
live the wild life; or from providing (dianoein) everything for those who live the wild life."
[N.B. This etymological explanation is somewhat unusual.]
Suidas s.v. Zagreus :
"Zagreus : Dionysos in poets. For Zeus, it seems, had intercourse with Persephone, and she
gave birth to Dionysos Khthonios (of the earth, underworld)."
Suidas s.v. Saboi (quoting Demosthenes 18. 260) :
"Saboi: Demosthenes [in the speech] On Behalf of Ktesiphon [mentions them]. Some say that
Saboi is the term for those who are dedicated to Sabazios, that is to Dionysos, just as those
[dedicated] to Bakkhos [are] Bakkhoi. They say that Sabazios and Dionysos are the same. Thus
some also say that the Greeks call the Bakkhoi Saboi. But Mnaseas of Patrai [C3rd B.C.] says
that Sabazios is the son of Dionysos."
Suidas s.v. Bromios :
"Bromios : Dionysos, the birth-maker of fruits. From bora (food) comes borimos, and by
metathesis bromios." [N.B.This etymological explanation is unusual, bromios means noisy or
boisterous.]
Suidas s.v. Iobakkhos :
"Iobakkhos : A proper name."
Suidas s.v. Iakkhos :
"Iakkhos : Dionysos; or a hymn to Dionysos."
Suidas s.v. Euaster (quoting Leonidas of Tarentum, Greek Anthology 6. 154) :
"Euastêr (who cries Euoi!) : Epithet of Dionysos. From the ecstatic cry Euoi! In the Epigrams:
‘These things of the open country Arkadian Biton, when an old man, dedicated to Pan and Lyaios
who cries Eoi!, that is to Lyaios and the Nymphai.’"
Suidas s.v. Mainoles :
"Mainolês (frenzied) : Mad. Raging."
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Suidas s.v. Lenaios :
"Lênaios : A name of Dionysos."
Suidas s.v. Linaios :
"Linaios : [A title of] Dionysos."
Suidas s.v. Dimetor :
"Dimêtôr (twice-born) : Dionysos."
Suidas s.v. Eiraphiotes :
"Eiraphiôtês : Dionysos, from the fact that he was sewn up (erraphthai) in the thigh of Zeus."
[N.B. This is one of seven etymologies proffered by the ancients; others include connection with
eriphos, goat-kid.]
Suidas s.v. Kistophoros :
"Kistophoros (basket-bearer, ivy-bearer) : It seems that baskets were sacred to Dionysos and the
Two Goddesses [Demeter and Persephone]." [N.B. Derived from Harpocration s.v. kittophoros,
the ivy-bearer.]
Suidas s.v. Protrygaios :
"Protrygaios (vintage-presider) : An epithet of Dionysos."
Suidas s.v. Oinops (quoting Greek Anthology 6. 44. 5 and 7. 20. 2) :
"Oinops (wine-dark) : ‘To wine-dark [so-and-so],’ to black [so-and-so]. In the Epigrams: ‘. . . from
which we poured libations, as much [as is] right, to wine-dark Bakkhos and the Satyroi.’ But
ruddy (oinôpos) [means] wine-coloured, bright or black. ‘Feeding on the ruddy grape-cluster of
Bakkhos.’"
Suidas s.v. Androgynos :
"Androgynos (androgynous) : [A word applied to] Dionysos, as one doing both active, male
things and passive, female ones [specifically sexual intercourse]."
Suidas s.v. Melanaigis Dionysos :
"Melanaigis Dionysos : Dionysos of the Black Aigis (Goat-skin)."
Suidas s.v. Taurophagon (quoting Sophocles, Fragment 668 and Aristophanes, Frogs 355) :
"Taurophagon (bull-eating) : Dionysos. Sophokles in Tyros [calls him so]. [Used] instead of
bouphagos (cow-eater) because an ox was given to Dionysos by the winners of the dithyrambic
[competition]. Alternatively the eater of raw flesh. From which Aristophanes has even applied the
name, metaphorically, to Kratinos: ‘Who [...] has neither seen or danced the orgia of the noble
Mousai, nor been initiated in the Bakkhic rites of the tongue of bull-eating Kratinos.’ . . .
What the passage from the Tyros of Sophokles says [is]: ‘of Dionysus the bull-eater.’ And
because he [Kratinos] loved wine; and because of this, they give this epithet of Dionysos to him.
Some apply the word, even more curiously, to the mother of Kratinos, who had been initiated in
the Bakkhic rites, which are those of Dionysos Moskhophagos (the calf-eater).
Alternatively rash (tolmera), from the Bakkhoi."
Suidas s.v. Kolotes :
"Kôlôtês (Gecko) : Spotted lizard . . . Also Kolotes, [an epithet of] Dionysos."
Suidas s.v. Erebinthinos Dionysos (from Zenobius 3. 83) :
"Erebinthinos Dionysos (chickpea Dionysos) : [A proverb] applied to worthless people/things."
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DIONYSUS TITLES & EPITHETS - Ancient Greek Religion
SOURCES
GREEK
Pausanias, Description of Greece (../Text/Pausanias1A.html) - Greek Travelogue C2nd A.D.
Aelian, Historical Miscellany - Greek Rhetoric C2nd - 3rd A.D.
BYZANTINE
Suidas, The Suda - Byzantine Greek Lexicon C10th A.D.
OTHER SOURCES
See Cult of Dionysos pages.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
A complete bibliography of the translations quoted on this page. (../Bibliography.html)
Custom Search
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DIONYSUS PAGES INDEX
Part 1: Introduction (../Olympios/Dionysos.html)
Symbols & Attributes (../Olympios/Dionysos.html#Attributes)
Family Tree of Dionysus (../Olympios/Dionysos.html#Family)
Gallery (../Olympios/Dionysos.html#Gallery)
Myths Overview (../Olympios/Dionysos.html#Overview)
Hymns to Dionysus (../Olympios/Dionysos.html#Hymns)
Physical Descriptions (../Olympios/Dionysos.html#Descriptions)
Encyclopedia Entry (../Olympios/Dionysos.html#Encyclopedia)
Sources (../Olympios/Dionysos.html#Sources)
Part 2: Dionysus God of (../Olympios/DionysosGod.html)
Part 3: Dionysus Family (../Olympios/DionysosFamily.html)
Part 4: Dionysus Myths 1 General (../Olympios/DionysosMyths.html)
Part 4: Dionysus Myths 2 General (../Olympios/DionysosMyths2.html)
Part 4: Dionysus Myths 3 General (../Olympios/DionysosMyths3.html)
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Part 4: Dionysus Myths 4 Loves (../Olympios/DionysosLoves.html)
Part 4: Dionysus Myths 5 Loves (../Georgikos/Ariadne.html)
Part 4: Dionysus Myths 6 Wrath (../Olympios/DionysosWrath.html)
Part 4: Dionysus Myths 7 Wrath (../Olympios/DionysosWrath2.html)
Part 4: Dionysus Myths 8 Favour (../Olympios/DionysosFavour.html)
Part 5: Cult of Dionysus 1 (DionysosCult.html)
General Cult (DionysosCult.html#General)
Attica, Southern Greece (DionysosCult.html#Attika)
Megaris, Southern Greece (DionysosCult.html#Megaris)
Aegina, Southern Greece (DionysosCult.html#Aigina)
Corinth, Southern Greece (DionysosCult.html#Korinthia)
Sicyon, Southern Greece (DionysosCult.html#Sikyonia)
Argolis, Southern Greece (DionysosCult.html#Argolis)
Laconia, Southern Greece (DionysosCult.html#Lakedaimonia)
Messenia, Southern Greece (DionysosCult.html#Messenia)
Elis, Southern Greece (DionysosCult.html#Elis)
Achaea, Southern Greece (DionysosCult.html#Akhaia)
Arcadia, Southern Greece (DionysosCult.html#Arkadia)
Part 5: Cult of Dionysus 2 (DionysosCult2.html)
Boeotia, Central Greece (DionysosCult2.html#Boiotia)
Phocis, Central Greece (DionysosCult2.html#Phokis)
Aetolia, Central Greece (DionysosCult2.html#Aitolia)
Naxos, Greek Aegean (DionysosCult2.html#Naxos)
Andros, Greek Aegean (DionysosCult2.html#Andros)
Lesbos, Greek Aegean (DionysosCult2.html#Lesbos)
Rhodes, Greek Aegean (DionysosCult2.html#Rhodes)
Macedonia, Northern Greece (DionysosCult2.html#Makedonia)
Thrace, North of Greece (DionysosCult2.html#Thrake)
Teuthrania, Anatolia (DionysosCult2.html#Teuthrania)
Lydia, Anatolia (DionysosCult2.html#Lydia)
Caria, Anatolia (DionysosCult2.html#Karia)
Byzantium, Anatolia (DionysosCult2.html#Byzantion)
Scythia, Eastern Europe (DionysosCult2.html#Skythia)
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Libya, North Africa (DionysosCult2.html#Libya)
Gaul, Southern France (DionysosCult2.html#Gaul)
Part 6: Titles & Epithets
Cult Titles & Epithets (DionysosTitles.html#Cult)
Poetic Titles & Epithets (DionysosTitles.html#Poetic)
.
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