Art, wine and Dionysos

Just as agriculture and viniculture reflected and inspired the social and economic modes of the classical and medieval worlds, so too did these activities influence and transform the subject matter of art. Because of the belief in the Hellenic world that wine was a gift of the god Dionysos, artistic subject matter freely interpreted this belief changing as tastes, mythologies and mores evolved Depictions of Dionysos and/or his retinue abound on Amphorae, Kraters, and other vessels intended for use in Symposia as well as in sculpture and mosaics. This paper discusses selected depictions of Dionysos, his associates and retinue iconographically and stylistically from the early fifth centure B.C.E through the third century C.E. (Résumé de la revue)