by Lenore McRae
Just as in our modern times, wine was an important commodity in ancient Greece, where it was used for medicine, trade, economic factors, and social or religious ceremonies. One ceremony in particular, the opening of the wine jars, commemorates the seasonal change from winter to spring by opening the jars from the previous season (1).
In ancient Greece, the state of inebriation was a favored disposition, as it amplifies happiness or dulls sadness. Like many ancient cultures, the Greeks gave different emotions a personification with gods, goddesses, and nymphs (1). The Greek goddess Methe is the living embodiment of drunkenness. She is the daughter of Dionysus (the god of wine), the wife of Staphylos (the grape carrier), and mother of Botrys (the divine embodiment of grapes) (2). Dionysus had many titles, such as Lyaeus and Bacchus, but for the sake of clarity, the author will solely refer to the well-known moniker (3).
This photographic rendering of Methe is meant to provide a visual representation of an ancient goddess from a modern perspective and illustrate the anthropological qualities of mythologies.
“Let us be merry and drink wine and sing of Dionysus . . . thanks to him, Methe (Drunkenness) was brought forth, Kharis (Grace) was born, Lupa (Pain) takes rest and Ania (Trouble) goes to sleep.” (4)
The Anacreontea, Fragment 38 (trans. Campbell, Vol. Greek Lyric II) (C5th B.C.)
“[In the sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus in Argolis] Here there is also another work of Pausias, Methe (Drunkenness) drinking out of a crystal cup. You can see even in the painting a crystal cup and a woman’ face through it.” (5)
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2. 27. 3 (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.)
“According to Nonnus, Methe was the wife of King Staphylos of Assyria, and a friend of the god Dionysus. After the death of her husband, Dionysus lifts her spirits with wine.” (6)
“Lord Dionysus encouraged Methe (Drunkenness) with laughing face, and thus he said to the wine loving queen: ‘My lady, giver of glorious gifts second only to golden Aphrodite, bestower of hearty good cheer, the joy of man and the mother of love, sit at the feast beside Dionysus as he touches the feast! Be garlandbearer for Dionysus, even as Aphrodite, girdled with flowers and luxuriant clusters. The chaplets upon your hair shall make Nike (Victory) jealous! I will make you pourer of wine, next after the Hebe golden throne. You shall rise a satellite star for Dionysus of the vine, ever by his side to serve the Bacchanal (drinking) cups, and man’s joy, the surfeit of wine, shall bear your name, Methe.” (6)
“I will give the name of Botrys (Grapes) [the son of Methe and Staphylos] to the care consoling fruit of my vintage, and I will call after Staphylos, the carry berry bunch of grapes, which is the offspring of the garden vines full of juicy liquor. Without Methe, I shall never be able to feast, without Methe I will never rouse the merry revels.’
Such were his words. Then beside the tomb of Reeling, Staphylos, Dionysus the foe of mourning held a contest where no mourning was.” (6)
Nonnus, Dionysiaca 19. 42 ff (Greek epic 5th A.D.)
References:
- H. Johnson (1989). Vintage: The Story of Wine, Simon and Schuster, 35-46.
- Campbell, David A. (1982). Greek lyric. Cambridge, Mass: London: Harvard University Press; W. Heinemann
- Ford, A. L. (2011). Dionysos’ Many Names in Aristophanes’ Frogs. A Different God? Dionysos and Ancient Polytheism, 343-355.
- Keith, Aldrich (1975). The Library of Greek Mythology. Lawrence, Kansas: Coronado Press.
- Jones, WHS, Litt, J., and Ormerod, HA (1918). Pausanias, Description of Greece with an English Translation. Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd.
- Rouse, WHD (1940). Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca. Loeb Classical Library, Cambridge. Harvard University Press.
About the author:
Lenore McRae lives in Cairo, Egypt, where she studies ancient cultures from Egypt, Africa, and the Mediterranean. Her art creates a modern spin on mythologies and fairy tales from around the world. @the_mcrae_files
