Photo God of wine by Nada Vujanic

Those are the columns of the stage building in Perge. The most striking feature is a series of marble reliefs of mythological subject. Unfortunately an important section was damaged as a result of the subsidence of the stage building… and on the reliefs the entire life story of Dionysos, the god of wine and the founder and protector of theatres. Dionysos was the son of Zeus and Semele. Hera, ever jealous of her husband, wanted to get rid of Semele along with her son. To trick her, the goddess assumed the form of the girl's mother and begged Semele to persuade Zeus to let her see him in all his might and glory. Zeus, unable to resist the please of his beloved, came down from Olympos on his golden chariot and appeared before her, but the mortal Semele could not withstand his radiance and was consumed by fire. Dying, she gave birth to the child, who had not yet come to full term, and threw him from the flames. Zeus took this little boy, sewed him into his hip and kept him there until his term was completed. It is in this way that the boy was given the name Dionysos-born once from his mother's womb and coming into the world a second time from his father's hip. So that the infant could be protected from Hera's malevolence, fed and brought to manhood, he was taken by Hermes to the nymphs of Mount Nysa, who raised the boy in a cave, giving him love and careful attention. Finally, as a young man, Dionysos one day drank the juice of all the grapes of the vine growing along the cave's walls. This is how wine was discovered. With the aim of introducing his new drink into every corner of the globe and spreading the knowledge of viniculture, the god of wine went on a journey around the world in a chariot drawn by two panthers.
So next time when you drink wine, think about him.
Cheers!

published:

Sun 5 Feb 2006 10:05

equipment:

digital camera Canon PowerShot A520

permanent link:

https://www.photoforum.ru/photo/256512/

comments (15 from 32)

all comments descending

FelixF #1 Sun 5 Feb 2006 10:22

Very impressive phto

Galina Gershon #2 Sun 5 Feb 2006 10:27

Thanks Nada!
Very interesting history
and really very beautiful photo.

Jens-Chr Strandos #3 Sun 5 Feb 2006 12:00

Nice photo with great composition. Thank you so much for the story behind the picture.
Well done.

Gilbert Morisson #4 Sun 5 Feb 2006 12:14

Good old mood sepia effect.

chandru shahani #5 Sun 5 Feb 2006 12:22

Yes Nada, you are absolutely correct -
Bacchus (Roman Myth names), the god of wine, was the son of Jupiter and Semele. Dionysus (Greek Myth names), the god of wine, was the son of Zeus and Semele. He represents not only the intoxicating power of wine, but its social and beneficent influences likewise, so that he is viewed as the promoter of civilization, and a law giver and lover of peace.

cliff rosbotham #6 Sun 5 Feb 2006 16:15

excellent image nada, and very interesting commentary
cliff

Miguel Corte-Real #7 Sun 5 Feb 2006 16:16

great perspective and tone!
tks for your notes.

silvia marmori #8 Sun 5 Feb 2006 16:45

so good shot, dear Nada.. beautiful perspective and tones, enhacing its atmosphere!
and complete story about Mr Dionysus!.. i invite you with a glass of argentina's red wine.. they are excellent!.. cheers, my friend! smile