Talk:Iacchus

Iacchus and Dionysus

According to the article stub, the identification of Iacchus with Dionysus is uncertain. However there seems to be long-standing identification of the two according to the quotes given at Greek Mythology: IACCHUS / IAKKHOS. Is there some reason for doubting this that I'm unaware of? Fuzzypeg 00:28, 11 January 2006 (UTC)

I've posted this same question to Eleusinian Mysteries where there might be a bit more traffic. Fuzzypeg 02:15, 11 January 2006 (UTC)

From a Paean to Dionysus discovered at Delphi (Harrison, Jane Ellen. 1991. Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion, p. 541):

'With thy wine cup waving high,

with thy maddening revelry,

To Eleusis' flowery vale

Comest thou — Bacchos, Paean, hail!

Thither thronging all the race

Come, of Hellas, seeking grace

Of thy nine-year revelation,

And they called thee by thy name,

Loved Iacchos, he who came

To bring salvation,

And disclose

His sure haven from all mortal woes.'

Sophocles when recalling the nocturnal rites of the mysteries at Eleusis in Antigone repeats the name (Prolegomena pp. 541-2):

'Thou who dost lead the choir

Of stars aflame with fire,

Of nightly voices King,

Of Zeus offspring,

Appear, O Lord, with thine attendant maids

The Thyiades,

Who mad and dancing through the long night chant

Their hymn to thee, Iacchos, Celebrant.'

Fuzzypeg 22:38, 26 January 2006 (UTC)

Son of Persephone or Demeter

The article previously said Iacchus was thought by some not to be Dionysus, but a different figure, son of Persephone or Demeter. At least that's what I think it was trying to say. I've removed it because I don't know how to reword it in light of recent corrections I've made. I will however do a bit of research and see if I can re-introduce this info. Any help appreciated. Fuzzypeg 01:07, 27 January 2006 (UTC)

Doubt about Dionysus

In The Frogs by Aristophanes, the Dionysus character is described, possibly irreverently, as the Son of Winejar. He could be the god Dionysus, an incarnated avatar of this god, or a mortal with the same name. The play was designed for the festival of Dionysus.

When Dionysus spies on the Mystae, they are chanting to "Iacchus". The stage directions are incomplete - they seem to sing to one who juggles torches before them.

So this play either indicates D is not I, or alternately this play presents I as another avatar of D, to complete the Festival of Dionysus.

The tie-breaker, during the Mystae's song, seems to be Xanthias salivating: "O holy noble daughter of Demeter, I just smelt roast pork - how sweet a smell that is."

Persephone is the daughter of Demeter, hence Xanthias is appealing to the divine mother of the character closest to the delicious dinner. This would be Iacchus, not Dionysus, who is hiding with him.

Yes, I believe Iacchos was the title of the leader of this procession, juggling the torches. However the suggestion seems to be that he was so named in symbol of the god Iacchus/Dionysus (as an avatar). Several commentators have claimed that Iacchos was the common name of Dionysus in Athens. In The Frogs Dionysus the god would therefore be watching the proceedings of festivities in his honour and providing his own irreverent commentary (a rather humorous situation).

However I can see this theory is not universally held, and I'm wondering what the arguments against it are. Many who write about the Eleusinian Mysteries don't mention Dionysus at all. I'm not enough of an expert yet in this field to navigate it on my own, so I'm looking for any pointers. Thanks, Fuzzypeg☻ 22:47, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

sorry for not properly knowing how to edit this, I just had a question concerning etymology. could Iacchus be the source of the word laughter?JFSOCC 17:48, 19 March 2007 (UTC)

If the word were "iacchster" perhaps, or even "yachster", but "laughter"? I don't know. Best place to look is the Oxford English Dictionary and they may have a clear and convincing derivation already figured out. Fuzzypeg☻ 06:25, 20 March 2007 (UTC)