Greek god of vegetation, viticulture and ecstasy or intoxication. He was also called Bromios (noisy) or Bakchos (shouting, screaming) because of the noise his entourage made. This is where the name Bacchus, which is commonly used in Roman mythology, comes from. He is usually depicted with ivy or vine tendrils and grapes. His outward attributes are the thyrsos staff surrounded by ivy and vines as a symbol of fertility and the kantharos (drinking vessel for wine) shown in the middle of the picture, on which Dionsysus is depicted with a satyr (left) and in conversation with the messenger of the gods Hermes (right). Dionysus also holds such a kantharos in his right hand. Female companions of Dionysos were the maenads. The oldest mention of him dates from the 13th century B.C., although there are quite different versions of his birth and life story.