The Maenads or Bacchants are women sacred to Dionysus.
They are maddened by his inspiring power. Their attributes are the thyrsos, a staff that is crowned with
ivy and the skin of a panther, a beast loved by Dionysus for being so excitable. They
also wore a snake in their hair, for Dionysus had been crowned with snakes when he
emerged from Zeus's thigh.
It was said that where one of them struck the ground with her thyrsos, there came forth a stream of wine, and when
they scratched the earth with their fingers it gave forth milk. Their playing and dancing, it
was said, should not be quelled, for the Muses love music, and they would be angered by those attempting to pacify and put down these god-inspired women.
But they were also known for being unforgiving against the enemies of Dionysus. Being possessed by the unusual strength that came from
Bacchic frenzy, they could tear apart whoever came in their way, and often did.
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