- Iacchus
In
Greek mythology , Iacchus ( _el. Ίακχος) is anepithet ofDionysus Fact|date=January 2008, particularly associated with the Mysteries at Eleusis, where he was considered to be the son ofZeus andDemeter . Iacchus was the torch bearer of the procession fromEleusis , sometimes regarded as the herald of the 'divine child' of the Goddess, born in the underworld, and sometimes as the child itself. Iacchus was called ‘the light bearing star of the nocturnal mysteries’, giving him possible associations withSirius andSothis .Fact|date=February 2007.The most famous mention of Iacchus is in the "Frogs" of
Aristophanes , where the Mystae invoke him as a riotous dancer in the meadow, attended by the Charities, who 'tosses torches' and is likened to a star bringing light to the darkness of the rites (Harrison, p. 540).Iacchus' identification with Dionysus is demonstrated in a variety of sources. In a
Paean to Dionysus discovered atDelphi , the god is described as being named "Iacchos" atEleusis , where he "brings salvation" (Harrison, p. 541).Sophocles , in the Paean in the play "Antigone", names the god of the Mysteries at Eleusis as both "Bacchos" and "Iacchos" (Harrison, pp. 541-2). The 4th or 5th century poetNonnus describes the Athenian celebrations given to the first DionysusZagreus son ofPersephone , the second DionysusBromios son ofSemele , and the third Dionysus Iacchus::They [the Athenians] honoured him as a god next after the son of Persephoneia, and after Semele's son; they established sacrifices for Dionysos lateborn and Dionysos first born, and third they chanted a new hymn for Iakkhos. In these three celebrations Athens held high revel; in the dance lately made, the Athenians beat the step in honour of Zagreus and Bromios and Iakkhos all together." [cite book |last=Nonnus |authorlink=Nonnus |title=Dionysiaca Vol. 3. Loeb Classical Library Volume 356 |pages=48, 962 ff |coauthors=Rouse, W H D. (transl.) |location=Cambridge, MA |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=1940]The word "Iacchos" also signified the ritual cry ("Iacchus, O Iacchus!") that accompanied the festival. In
Euripedes 'The Bacchae , according to the translation by Philip Vellacott, theBacchants call to dance, crying out in unison on the son ofZeus , "Iacchus! Bromius!".Bromius is another epithet of Dionysus.The name "Iacchos" was also given to one of the days of the Mysteries: the 20th of
Boedromion , upon which day Iacchus was taken from his sanctuary in Athens and escorted in solemn procession to Eleusis (Harrison, p. 542).In
Dion Fortune 's novel "The Winged Bull", the main character invokes the name of Iacchus when he is unsure what to call a particular god he wishes to summon.The god is also referenced in the novel "
Lady Chatterley's Lover " by D. H. Lawrence. The character Connie yearns for the passion felt by Iacchos and theMaenads .References
*Harrison, Jane Ellen. 1991. "Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion". Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
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