A convenient
deity invented by the
ancients as an
excuse for getting
drunk.
Ambrose Bierce, "
The Devil's Dictionary"
The
Roman god of
wine and
intoxication, equated with the
Greek Dionysus. His
festival was celebrated on
March 16 and 17. The Bacchanalia, orgies in honor of Dionysus, were introduced in Rome around 200 BC. These
infamous celebrations, notorious for their sexual and
criminal character, got so out of hand that they were forbidden by the Roman
Senate in 186 BC. Bacchus is also identified with the old-Italian god
Liber.