Even celebrations in their honour were carried out in the same exact way, although the greeks have done them since much ancient times. Such celebrations, named “Bacchanales”, were attended mostly by women and were characterized by wild and uncontrolled behaviour.

The origin
According to Greek mythology, Bacchus-Dyonisus was born from Zeus and Semele, although some versions differ on the mother’s identity, this is the most popular version. As the legend tells us Semele had a secret meeting with Zeus, then appearing as a common mortal being. Zeus’ wife, Era, feeling jealous of Semele disguised herself as an old woman and revealed her Zeus’ true identity. She then convinced Semele to ask Zeus to reveal his true identity during their next meeting. Semele acknowledges and promises to ask him the question. On their next rendez-vous, Semele asks the greatest god to drop the mask and show his true self. Zeus refuses. Feeling very disappointed, Semele then promises not to see him ever again. Hearing these words the god loses his temper, transforms himself into his original shape, throwing lightnings at the poor woman in the process, who died disappearing. Semele was already pregnant at the moment of her death. The fetus was saved by Ermete and was later born from one of Zeus’ legs. This made the young Dyonisus an Immortal. Zeus’ wife, Era, saw the young Dyonisus as a living proof of his husband’s infidelity, she embarked on a mission to wipe the young one from existence. She sent the Titans to kill the boy, they finally succeeded. At this point, Zeus’ mother, Rea, brought the boy back to life. The child was then given to Queen Ina, for her to take care of and hide him. The queen thought hiding him in the women’s chambers would keep him safe. As soon as Era found out about his hideout, Zeus ordered Ermete to transform the child into a small goat. In this form, he was carried to Mount Elicona and given to the nymphs, who took good care of him hiding him in a cave and feeding him with honey. It is here, on this mountain, where he found a vine and with it he invented wine. Grown into adulthood, Dyonisus travelled to many countries, conquering and establishing new cities, spreading the knowledge necessary to cultivate grapes and make wine from it.

And what about the Wine?
Even if the myth tells us that greeks invented wine, it is possibly not true. In fact, studies and archaeological research found out that first signs of wine making can be located on the south shores of the Black Sea. In this area, because of favourable climate, vine grew spontaneously. From here, wine was widespread by merchants and traders across the Mediterranean Sea and Middle East. Later on, wine making became popular in Asia and Europe.