The Pirate Drinking Cup — Dionysian Lore and Art History

Oh, Dionysus. You can be a sweet and understanding fellow, but if you are spited then there is no escape from your mad wrath. This is a cautionary tale, do not spite a god, even if you know not who he is. Listen to your fellow ship-mates, for they may see the divine where you ignore its existence!

I would like to introduce you to one of my favorite pagan gods, the Greek Dionysus. He goes by many names just like the wine he embodies, such as Bacchus, Zagreus or Liber. He is a most ancient god of wine, theater and of the evocative…