This hymn seems likely to pertain to “putting the wine to sleep” so that it can ferment and “purifying” the wine, that is, pruning the vines in order to promote a better harvest.
Translated by Catherine Proppe, 2014.
53. Ἀμφιετοῦς,
θυμίαμα πάντα πλὴν λιβάνου καὶ σπένδε γάλα.
Straddling the Year
Divine connection (incense/offering): all kinds except libanon (frankincense) and libations of milk
Ἀμφιετῆ καλέω Βάκχον, χθόνιον Διόνυσον,
Straddling the year[1] I call Bacchos[2], foundational divine Dionysos[3],
ἐγρόμενον κούραις ἅμα νύμφαις εὐπλοκάμοισιν,
Arousing passions of youths and beautifully-tressed Nymphs[4],
ὃς παρὰ Περσεφόνης ἱεροῖσι δόμοισιν ἰαύων
He of Persephone’s[5] holy domicile sleeping
κοιμίζει τριετῆρα χρόνον, Βακχήιον ἁγνόν.
Sleep-fermented triennially[6] over time, Bacchos purified[7].
αὐτὸς δ' ἡνίκα τὸν τριετῆ πάλι κῶμον ἐγείρηι,
For him alone triennially all merry-making awakens,
εἰς ὕμνον τρέπεται σὺν ἐυζώνοισι τιθήναις
He is hymned, turning in sync with well-girdled nurses
εὐνάζων κινῶν τε χρόνους ἐνὶ κυκλάσιν ὥραις.
Good rest set in motion timely in cycling seasons.
ἀλλά, μάκαρ, χλοόκαρπε, κερασφόρε, κάρπιμε Βάκχε,
But, happily, tender-fruited, horn-bearing, fertile Bacchus,
βαῖν' ἐπὶ πάνθειον τελετὴν γανόωντι προσώπωι
Dance with all deities, perfect the freshened surface
εὐιέροις καρποῖσι τελεσσιγόνοισι βρυάζων.
Most holy fruit complete the birth swelling[8].
[1] The Great Dionysia (Διονύσια τὰ Μεγάλα) takes place in the month of the Spring Equinox (Mar.-Apr.), celebrating the New Year (when the sun prevails over darkness). The Agrarian Dionysia (Διονύσια τὰ κατ' ἀγρούς) takes place in Dec.-Jan., surrounding the Winter solstice, when the sun begins its upward ascent.
[2] Bacchos is the immortal God of wine and the effects of its inspiration, “enthusiasm,” that is, “God (theo) + within (en-).”
[3] Dionysos is another name for Bacchos.
[4] Nymphs are beautiful young Goddesses.
[5] Persephone is the immortal Goddess of the afterlife and new life in Spring.
[6] Triennial means recurring every third year, or, alternatively, three times a year. Note that there are two Dionysian festivals plus the Anthesteria (Ἀνθεστήρια), an important wine festival celebrated in Jan.-Feb.
[7] “Purified” may refer to the practice of pruning the vines.
[8] The swelling of the grape as it ripens and perhaps a metaphor for Dionysos’/Bacchos’ role as a fertility God.
Translated by Catherine Proppe, 2014.
53. Ἀμφιετοῦς,
θυμίαμα πάντα πλὴν λιβάνου καὶ σπένδε γάλα.
Straddling the Year
Divine connection (incense/offering): all kinds except libanon (frankincense) and libations of milk
Ἀμφιετῆ καλέω Βάκχον, χθόνιον Διόνυσον,
Straddling the year[1] I call Bacchos[2], foundational divine Dionysos[3],
ἐγρόμενον κούραις ἅμα νύμφαις εὐπλοκάμοισιν,
Arousing passions of youths and beautifully-tressed Nymphs[4],
ὃς παρὰ Περσεφόνης ἱεροῖσι δόμοισιν ἰαύων
He of Persephone’s[5] holy domicile sleeping
κοιμίζει τριετῆρα χρόνον, Βακχήιον ἁγνόν.
Sleep-fermented triennially[6] over time, Bacchos purified[7].
αὐτὸς δ' ἡνίκα τὸν τριετῆ πάλι κῶμον ἐγείρηι,
For him alone triennially all merry-making awakens,
εἰς ὕμνον τρέπεται σὺν ἐυζώνοισι τιθήναις
He is hymned, turning in sync with well-girdled nurses
εὐνάζων κινῶν τε χρόνους ἐνὶ κυκλάσιν ὥραις.
Good rest set in motion timely in cycling seasons.
ἀλλά, μάκαρ, χλοόκαρπε, κερασφόρε, κάρπιμε Βάκχε,
But, happily, tender-fruited, horn-bearing, fertile Bacchus,
βαῖν' ἐπὶ πάνθειον τελετὴν γανόωντι προσώπωι
Dance with all deities, perfect the freshened surface
εὐιέροις καρποῖσι τελεσσιγόνοισι βρυάζων.
Most holy fruit complete the birth swelling[8].
[1] The Great Dionysia (Διονύσια τὰ Μεγάλα) takes place in the month of the Spring Equinox (Mar.-Apr.), celebrating the New Year (when the sun prevails over darkness). The Agrarian Dionysia (Διονύσια τὰ κατ' ἀγρούς) takes place in Dec.-Jan., surrounding the Winter solstice, when the sun begins its upward ascent.
[2] Bacchos is the immortal God of wine and the effects of its inspiration, “enthusiasm,” that is, “God (theo) + within (en-).”
[3] Dionysos is another name for Bacchos.
[4] Nymphs are beautiful young Goddesses.
[5] Persephone is the immortal Goddess of the afterlife and new life in Spring.
[6] Triennial means recurring every third year, or, alternatively, three times a year. Note that there are two Dionysian festivals plus the Anthesteria (Ἀνθεστήρια), an important wine festival celebrated in Jan.-Feb.
[7] “Purified” may refer to the practice of pruning the vines.
[8] The swelling of the grape as it ripens and perhaps a metaphor for Dionysos’/Bacchos’ role as a fertility God.
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