logo 1logo 2logo 3
research
oceania europa africa gallery asia america cloister

back index map next

send us data
TITLE Dionysus and his attendant - or Vergil Shepherds
CODE if you have data to send us, name the code "R20"
DATE Unknown
AUTHOR Unknown
COUNTRY Unknown
MEDIA Unknown
SIZE Unknown
LOCATION Unknown
NOTES In Greek mythology, a thyrsus (thyrsos) was a sacred implement at religious rituals and festivals. It was made of a giant fennel staff covered with ivy vines and leaves and topped with a pine cone.

The thyrsus is a composite symbol of the forest (pine cone) and the farm (fennel). It has been suggested that this was specifically a fertility phallus, with the fennel representing the shaft of the penis and the pine cone representing the "seed" issuing forth. It was associated with Dionysus (or Bacchus) and his followers, the Satyrs and Maenads.

Sometimes the thyrsus was displayed in conjunction with a wine cup, another symbol of Dionysus, forming a male-and-female combination like that of the royal scepter and orb.

If you have data and a better picture (this seems to be cropped) about this work, please click here click to send us an e-mail. Thank you.

oceania europa africa gallery asia america cloister

back index map next

Please, visit also our virtual home. Our virtual home! You will be more than welcome.

© 2008 - Matt & Andrej Koymasky