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)