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zakruti.com » Knowledge, science, education » TED-Ed
The myth of Dionysus’ drunken revenge - Iseult Gillespie

The myth of Dionysus’ drunken revenge - Iseult Gillespie

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Rating: 4.0; Vote: 1
Dig into the Greek myth of Dionysus, the god of winemaking and excess, and his journey to his ancestral home in Thebes. -- Acoetes of Maeonia had been roped into serving as the navigator for a band of pirates. And now the pirates had kidnapped a sleeping youth. As they laid their victim’s body on the ship, Acoetes felt the pit in his stomach deepen. The pirates hadn’t noticed, but their new captive was a slumbering god. Iseult Gillespie digs into the Greek myth of Dionysus and his return to Thebes.
Date: 2025-09-28

Comments and reviews: 20


Okay, so I did research; and nowhere did I find any mention Acoetes being disillusioned with Dionysus or even being present when Pentheus was dismembered. The last mention of him was when he was freed from the dungeon; that's it.
I don't disagree with TED-Ed's moral here; nobody should ever get so intoxicated that they start killing people, let alone with their bare hands, but I also really don't like when TED-Ed twists stories and spread misinformation. They didn't need to do that to point out the dangers of alcoholism and over-indulgence, I think the audience can see that for themselves.
Also, why is there a Minotaur here I know Dionysus partied with Satyrs and Centaurs; but there's only one Minotaur (to my knowledge) in Greek Mythology and he wasn't with Dionysus.

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Animal sacrifice via dismembering was actually a very sacred ritual to the Cult of Dionysus as far as we’re aware (mystery cults keep their secrets closely guarded from those not in the Cult, hence why Pentheus was killed in this episode) and it’s why Orpheus is often depicted as getting dismembered when he died. Orpheus was a prophet as well as a Bard, and supposedly helped to found the Dionysian Mysteries and the Religion of Orphism, and that’s why it’s believed he died in such a manner. Because he’d lost Eurydice, he’d become depressed and neglected his duties to the Mysteries and therefore became the sacrifice for Dionysus. Woefully ironic considering he’d helped found the Mysteries, perfect for an Artist like Orpheus.
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Ohh my dear god. By the way, I wanna add a little unpleasant detail about the ship kidnapping Dionysos. The pirates were about to, if not already, rpe him. Once again, he was a god emitting a divine light that are hard for the mortals to even comprehend. He was often depicted as a youthful, handsome, and effeminate god. Damn yeah I am supporting a mythological god for turning some man into dolphins, yeah.
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The thing is, Dionysius was both. He was the god of wine and happy festivities and also the god of madness and excess. Greek gods personify their divine domains, both the positive aspects and negative at the same time. Zeus is noble and rules with and a despot like a king. Demeter is motherly and cruel like nature. Dionysus is all fun and games, but also what happens when you lack self-control
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This story is wild Acoetes went from fearing for his life among pirates to standing face to face with a god. The moment Dionysus revealed himself with ivy, grapes, and powerthat transformation of pirates into dolphinschills. It shows how quickly arrogance meets its downfall, and how faith and respect can turn fear into blessing.
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Can anyone explain all the wrong things in the video. It’s a great video but not accurate as the 1st part seems to be the Homeric Hymn to Dionysus but some parts are missing or added elements. I don’t the second part but someone else please comment what it’s suppose to be
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There is always someone, scared by life. always drowning in all the bad vices, manipulative, always in need of yes men or a naive friend to go about fooling with. but once challenged they are cold and unforgiving.
This is a cautionary tale

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Is it just me or turning the pirates into dolphins isn't exactly a fit punishment for their actions
Living among them, those animals could even encourage worse behavior (if even possible) than basic piracy, just not necessarily towards humans.

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Why not just tell the myth without speculative additions, not included in the original Acoetes was not being disillusioned with Dionysus or even present when Pentheus was dismembered, that is a speculative addition to the myth!
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Ted Ed really helped me in my course. They summarize a story short but consicely and I still grasp the story's main point. I never failed my course and always has something to share when it comes to these myths Ty
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4: 55 The use of masks in Greek theater probably made this scene in Euripides’s Bacchae really striking. Imagine associating a mask as Pentheus throughout the play and having it on a stick in the end.
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My memory may be hazy, but I think the pirates were planning on assaulting Dionysus when they were still unaware of his true identity. Otherwise, why else would they abduct a beautiful youth
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honestly an enjoyer of this wack artstyle (fits dionysus' parties well)
also what is it with greek gods making families kill each other without realising
greek gods are ruthless i tell you

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This is definitely not an actual Greek story seems to be a haphazard stitching of two stories. I would rather recommend someone watch Jake Doubleyoo’s video of Homeric Hymn to Dionysus
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I dont think he recognized Dionysus. He was just a new god and basically no one knows him yet. Acides just had the feeling that this one guy has a godly aura in him that he can sense.
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Remember this people, Dionysus might be the party god of wine and excess, but he is also the god of madness and in the end of any of his parties only he will have the last laugh.
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Oh. Now I understand the pirate panic when Frank Zhang suddenly transformed into a dolphin. this makes so much more sense. I thought they were afraid of dolphins or smth
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DIONYSUS: Don't worry, Acoetes, you're in good hands! HIK! Cheers!
ACOESTES: I hope my spirit will not be removed from my body and be turned to wine.

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Reminds me of the quote at the beginning of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Something like He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.
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. but what happens to Acoetes next at the very end Does he flee for his life, or does he become victim as well That's a heart wrenching cliff hangar, lol
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