The Bacchanalia were unofficial, privately funded popular Roman festivals of Bacchus, based on various ecstatic elements of the Greek Dionysia. They were almost certainly associated with Rome's native
A Bacchanalian Revel Before a Term, Nicolas Poussin, 1632–1633
Titian, The Bacchanal of the Andrians, 1523–1526
Peter Paul Rubens, Bacchanalia, 1615
Lovis Corinth, Bacchanalia, 1898
In ancient Roman religion and mythology, Liber, also known as Liber Pater, was a god of viticulture and wine, male fertility and freedom. He was a patron deity of Rome's plebeians and was part of thei
Bacchanalia
…Roman festivals of Bacchus, based on various ecstatic elements of the Greek Dionysia. They were almost certainly associated with Rome's native cult of Liber, and probably arrived in Rome itself around 200 BC. Like all mystery religions of the ancient world, very little is known of their rites. They seem to…
Three Roman votive pillars; the one on the left reads Libero Patri Valerius Daphinus a[nimo] l[ibens] p[osuit]: "Valerius Daphinus erects [this monument] to Liber Pater of his free will."
Bas relief from Arch of Marcus Aurelius showing sacrifice