Silenus
This old, rustic god embodied a fascinating paradox. Though always pictured with a wineskin in hand and a jovial demeanor, Silenus was also considered incredibly wise. He served as both the drunken companion and the esteemed tutor to Dionysus, the god of wine. This duality made him an intriguing figure, a reminder that merriment and wisdom can sometimes go hand-in-hand.
Residence: The Earth
Symbols: Wine, grapes, donkey
Parents: Pan
Raising a god
Born from the thigh of Zeus, Dionysus was entrusted to the care of Silenus, the jolly and often-inebriated god of winemaking. Far from the polished halls of Olympus, Dionysus was raised in a cave on Mount Nysa, nurtured by the playful Nysiad nymphs and tutored by the unconventional Silenus. This unconventional upbringing shaped Dionysus into a god who embraced wild merriment and unconventional ways.
King Midas
Midas, king of Phrygia, stumbled upon an unexpected windfall when he found Silenus, Dionysus’ drunken companion, wandering lost. He treated Silenus with hospitality, unaware of the divine company he kept. Dionysus, grateful for Midas’ kindness, offered him a reward. Blinded by greed, Midas wished for the golden touch. His wish, initially met with joy, quickly turned sour as everything he touched, from food to loved ones, turned to cold, unyielding gold. Midas’ story, a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked desires, served as a reminder that true wealth doesn’t lie in material possessions.
Art
Vatican Museum.
