Over the past few weeks, a set of nearly life-size paintings has been excavated in Pompeii, providing clues about rituals related to the Greek wine god in an ancient city that was destroyed two thousand years ago.
Archaeologists have excavated frescoes that span three walls of a ruined banquet hall depicting the secret initiation ritual known as the Dionysus mystery dating back to 40-30 BC, the Archaeological Park in Pompeii said this week.
The extraordinary images emerge from Ashshaw's Dionysian followers resemble frescoes from a mysterious nearby villa discovered 100 years ago.
“In 100 years, today will be remembered as historical because the discoveries we are presenting are historical,” said Italian Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuri, who attended the presentation of the fresco.
“Alongside the mystery villa, this fresco forms an unparalleled testimony of lesser-known aspects of ancient Mediterranean life.”
Part of the mural depicts female followers of Dionysus, an ancient Greek god of fertility, theatre and religious ecstasy, both dancers and hunters, with goats and swords on their shoulders, with goats and animal courage.
Other parts of the painting show a young satire with pointed ears playing a double flute, just as another flute was sacrificeed for wine.
In the center is a well-dressed woman who may be waiting to wear it, but another part of the painting shows a newborn animal.
“The question is, what do you want to be in life, a hunter or a prey?” said Gabriel Zuchtliegel, director of Pompeii.
A recent discovery is on the heels of the excavation at the largest private Roman bath in January.
The bustling city was levelled in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius blew its top, and 10% of Pompeii's 20,000 inhabitants coated the area with thick ashes.
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