question for Classical Greek experts

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know if Hellenic literature includes an invocation to the Maenads? Not Dionysus, but just the Maenads? Would you please share a source with Roman transliteration if you know of one? (I'm not a Greek scholar, I'm a practicing Pagan FYI!)

Thanks guys!

[Anonymous]

Hellenic literature, particularly the works of Ancient Greek playwrights and poets, often involves detailed references to Dionysus and his followers, the Maenads. These frenzied devotees are commonly depicted in the context of Dionysian worship, acting as central figures in the rituals and myths surrounding the god of wine, fertility, and ecstasy.

Euripides' tragedy "The Bacchae" is one of the most famous works where the Maenads are heavily featured. In this play, the Maenads are portrayed in their full frenzy, showcasing their wild, ecstatic worship of Dionysus. While "The Bacchae" primarily glorifies Dionysus, the Maenads play crucial roles as his followers, embodying the themes of chaos and divine madness that Dionysus represents.

In terms of invocations that focus specifically on the Maenads without mentioning Dionysus, these are less common since their identity and cultic activities are deeply intertwined with Dionysus himself. However, their presence and actions are implicitly evoked in many descriptions of Dionysian rites.

If you're interested in a specific excerpt that captures the essence of the Maenads, here’s a passage from "The Bacchae" of Euripides that, while centered on Dionysus, highlights the nature and actions of the Maenads:

```
O hidden cave of the Curetes,
And sacred crests of Crete that gave birth to Zeus,
Where the Corybantes with triple helmet
Invented for me this circle of stretched hide,
Mixing Bacchic revelry with the sweet-breathed cry
Of the Phrygian flutes,
And they gave it to mother Rhea, resounding with the shouts of the Bacchants,
And it thunders along with the shouts of the Bacchae,
And with the violent, hair-shaking dances of the Maenads.
```

This excerpt doesn’t solely focus on the Maenads but provides a vivid portrayal of their ecstatic practices in the context of Dionysian rituals.

For a source that includes Roman transliteration, you would typically need to refer to scholarly translations of Greek texts. Many classical studies texts or academic compilations of Greek plays will include the original Greek alongside a transliteration and translation. Unfortunately, online resources for transliterations are limited, and specific requests like yours might require access to specialized libraries or academic resources.

[Anonymous]

GREAT post, 15:04! My question for OP: What are you trying to do with this information? The reason I ask is because, as 15:04 noted, it's uncommon to have a work dedicated to the Maenads. I'd have to do some research to see if there are any. I've not seen any transliterations from Greek into Latin and, again, would have to research to find any. However, if you're really looking for something dedicated to a Muse, that's much easier/more common.

Two come immediately to mind - the openings of the Iliad and Odyssey:

Iliad
https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0134#:~:text=%5B1%5D%20The%20wrath%20sing%2C,when1%20first%20they%20parted
The wrath sing, goddess, of Peleus' son, Achilles, that destructive wrath which brought countless woes upon the Achaeans, and sent forth to Hades many valiant souls of heroes, and made them themselves spoil for dogs and every bird;

Odyssey
https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0136#:~:text=%5B1%5D%20Tell%20me%2C%20O,the%20return%20of%20his%20comrades.
Tell me, O Muse, of the man of many devices, who wandered full many ways after he had sacked the sacred citadel of Troy.

[Anonymous]

thanks PP at 15:04!

I'm writing a ritual invocation of the Maenads, especially in their aspect as frenzied, violent spirits. I am writing it in English, since I don't know Greek, but I appreciate the information here!

[Anonymous]

Here's a question unrelated to OP'd but I on Greek Mythology. My 5th grade school teacher loved to tell us stories of Greek Mythology and one was about a child was born every one thousand years who was doomed to live for a thousand years. I have searched the Internet and even wrote and asked a classics professor at UVA to no avail.

My quest may be kindergarten compared to OP but if anyone has any idea of what I am talking about, please post. Many thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's a question unrelated to OP'd but I on Greek Mythology. My 5th grade school teacher loved to tell us stories of Greek Mythology and one was about a child was born every one thousand years who was doomed to live for a thousand years. I have searched the Internet and even wrote and asked a classics professor at UVA to no avail.

My quest may be kindergarten compared to OP but if anyone has any idea of what I am talking about, please post. Many thanks.

Sounds like a mis-telling of Tithonus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:thanks PP at 15:04!

I'm writing a ritual invocation of the Maenads, especially in their aspect as frenzied, violent spirits. I am writing it in English, since I don't know Greek, but I appreciate the information here!

Guessing 15:04 was AI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's a question unrelated to OP'd but I on Greek Mythology. My 5th grade school teacher loved to tell us stories of Greek Mythology and one was about a child was born every one thousand years who was doomed to live for a thousand years. I have searched the Internet and even wrote and asked a classics professor at UVA to no avail.

My quest may be kindergarten compared to OP but if anyone has any idea of what I am talking about, please post. Many thanks.

Sounds like a mis-telling of Tithonus.

I looked him up and the child was an ordinary citizen not a god. But. Thank you.