Bacchus : figures et pouvoirs (French Edition) by Jean-Marie Pailler

Bacchus, Figures and Powers is an essential work for all enthusiasts of ancient history and archaeology, eager to understand the complexity of this ancient deity. Jean-Marie Pailler, a professor of Ancient History at the University of Toulouse - Le Mirail and a renowned archaeologist, provides us with an in-depth analysis of Bacchus, highlighting his figures and powers through the ages.

The book does not limit itself to a simple reconstruction of Bacchus's history as a deity. The author chooses to focus on the main figures and essential powers that have marked this deity from Antiquity, from the Mycenaean period to the Paleo-Christian times. Bacchus is presented not as a static figure, but as a dynamic entity whose influences and representations have traversed the centuries.

One of the strengths of this work lies in the analysis of the confrontation between Euripides' Bacchae and the Roman and Italian Bacchanalia. This parallel offers a powerful testimony to the dynamic transmission of traditions related to Bacchus, from ancient Greece to imperial Rome. The author also explores the social and familial aspects of Bacchic cults, delving into themes such as Orphic dissent, Dionysian attire, and the social implications of practices related to Bacchus.

Jean-Marie Pailler does not merely recount historical facts; he offers a reflection on the permanence and evolution of Bacchic cults through the centuries. His expertise as an archaeologist and historian is reflected in a rigorous and detailed analysis that will appeal to both specialists and informed amateurs.

This work is structured into two main parts:

First Part: The Bacchic Adventure: Journey and Figures

• The Soul of Wine: Exploration of the symbolic meanings of wine and its role in Bacchic cults.
• The God in His Domains: Study of the different representations of Bacchus through the ages.

Second Part: The Bacchae in Italy

• "Burial Forbidden to the Unbaptized": Orphic Dissent and Dionysian Attire: Analysis of ritual practices and their symbolism.
• A Family Affair: Exploration of familial and social ties in Bacchic cults.
• The Proper Use of Kinship: Reflection on the social implications of Bacchic practices.
• Against Reductive Temptations: Warning against simplistic interpretations of Bacchus.

The book concludes with a General Conclusion, followed by Notes, Bibliographic Indications, and Illustrations that enrich the author's analysis.

Additional Information:

• Format: Paperback
• EAN13: 9782251380292
• ISBN: 978-2-251-38029-2
• Publisher: Les Belles Lettres
• Publication Date: 10/05/1995
• Collection: History
• Number of Pages: 230
• Dimensions: 22 x 15 cm
• Weight: 358 g
• Language: French