Translated by Catherine Proppe, March 15, 2016
47. Περικιονίου, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα
To Bacchos’ All-Surrounding Pillars
Divine connection: aromatics
Κικλήσκω Βάκχον περικιόνιον, μεθυδώτην,
I call Bacchos[1], with pillars[2] all-surrounding, giver of wine,
Καδμείοισι δόμοις ὃς ἑλισσόμενος πέρι πάντη
Kadmean[3]-dwelling whirling power, surrounding all,
ἔστησε κρατερῶς βρασμοὺς γαίης ἀποπέμψας,
Upstanding mighty power; dispatch violent earthquakes[4]
ἡνίκα πυρφόρος αὐγὴ ἐκίνησε χθόνα πᾶσαν
When fire-bearing Dawn[5] sets in motion all the earth,
πρηστῆρος ῥοίζοις· ὃ δ' ἀνέδραμε δεσμὸς ἁπάντων.
And roaring hurricanes give rise to drama that bonds all.
ἐλθέ, μάκαρ, βακχευτά, γεγηθυίαις πραπίδεσσιν.
Come, blessed Bacchian, with heartfelt rejoicing.
[1] This hymn suggests that Bacchos/Dionysos’ powers extend beyond wine and its effects to include control over earthquakes and hurricanes.
[2]Dionysos is said to have conquered the farthest inhabited places on earth and erected pillars (hermai) to stake his territorial claim.
“Dionysos and the host of Pans, Satyrs, and Bacchic women, by whom he was accompanied, conquered his enemies, taught the Indians the cultivation of the vine and of various fruits, and the worship of the Goddesses and Gods; he also founded towns among them, gave them laws, and left behind him pillars and monuments in the happy land which he had thus conquered and civilized, and the inhabitants worshipped him as a God. (Comp. Strab. xi. p. 505; Arrian, Ind. 5; Diod. ii. 38; Philostr. Vit. Apollon. ii. 9; Virg.Aen. vi. 805.)” http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Dionysos.html
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3.5.2 :
“Having traversed Thrace and the whole of India and set up pillars there, he (Dionysos) came to Thebes…”
Seneca, Oedipus 112 ff (trans. Miller) (Roman tragedy C1st A.D.) :
"O Bacchus…who dared to ride on the Eastern plains and plant thy banners on the world’s first edge.”
[3] Kadmeia is the citadel of ancient Greek Thebes.
[4] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative earth. In Euripides play, Bacchae 580-605, Dionysos sends and quells an earthquake in Thebes because its leader refuses to worship him.
[5] Auge is the immortal Goddess of dawn.
47. Περικιονίου, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα
To Bacchos’ All-Surrounding Pillars
Divine connection: aromatics
Κικλήσκω Βάκχον περικιόνιον, μεθυδώτην,
I call Bacchos[1], with pillars[2] all-surrounding, giver of wine,
Καδμείοισι δόμοις ὃς ἑλισσόμενος πέρι πάντη
Kadmean[3]-dwelling whirling power, surrounding all,
ἔστησε κρατερῶς βρασμοὺς γαίης ἀποπέμψας,
Upstanding mighty power; dispatch violent earthquakes[4]
ἡνίκα πυρφόρος αὐγὴ ἐκίνησε χθόνα πᾶσαν
When fire-bearing Dawn[5] sets in motion all the earth,
πρηστῆρος ῥοίζοις· ὃ δ' ἀνέδραμε δεσμὸς ἁπάντων.
And roaring hurricanes give rise to drama that bonds all.
ἐλθέ, μάκαρ, βακχευτά, γεγηθυίαις πραπίδεσσιν.
Come, blessed Bacchian, with heartfelt rejoicing.
[1] This hymn suggests that Bacchos/Dionysos’ powers extend beyond wine and its effects to include control over earthquakes and hurricanes.
[2]Dionysos is said to have conquered the farthest inhabited places on earth and erected pillars (hermai) to stake his territorial claim.
“Dionysos and the host of Pans, Satyrs, and Bacchic women, by whom he was accompanied, conquered his enemies, taught the Indians the cultivation of the vine and of various fruits, and the worship of the Goddesses and Gods; he also founded towns among them, gave them laws, and left behind him pillars and monuments in the happy land which he had thus conquered and civilized, and the inhabitants worshipped him as a God. (Comp. Strab. xi. p. 505; Arrian, Ind. 5; Diod. ii. 38; Philostr. Vit. Apollon. ii. 9; Virg.Aen. vi. 805.)” http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Dionysos.html
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3.5.2 :
“Having traversed Thrace and the whole of India and set up pillars there, he (Dionysos) came to Thebes…”
Seneca, Oedipus 112 ff (trans. Miller) (Roman tragedy C1st A.D.) :
"O Bacchus…who dared to ride on the Eastern plains and plant thy banners on the world’s first edge.”
[3] Kadmeia is the citadel of ancient Greek Thebes.
[4] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative earth. In Euripides play, Bacchae 580-605, Dionysos sends and quells an earthquake in Thebes because its leader refuses to worship him.
[5] Auge is the immortal Goddess of dawn.
RSS Feed