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Bacchus Uncovered: Ancient God of Ecstasy

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Bacchus Uncovered: Ancient God of Ecstacy

28/04/2018 GMT

BBC World News - Bacchus Uncovered: Ancient God of Ecstasy

Bettany Hughes investigates the story of Bacchus, ancient god of wine, revelry and excess.

Bettany Hughes investigates the story of Bacchus, god of wine and revelry, travelling to Georgia, Jordan and Greece to discover his origins.

Professor Bettany Hughes investigates the story of Bacchus, god of wine, revelry, theatre and excess, travelling to Georgia, Jordan, Greece and Britain to discover his origins, his presence in the modern world and explore how 'losing oneself' plays a vital role in the development of civilisation.

In this fascinating journey, Bettany begins in Georgia where she discovers evidence of the world's oldest wine production, and the role it may have played in building communities. In Athens she reveals Bacchus' pivotal role in a society where his ecstatic worship was embraced by all classes, and most importantly women. On Cyprus she uncovers startling parallels between Bacchus and Christ. Finally, Bettany follows the god's modern embrace in Nietzsche's philosophy, experimental theatre and the hedonistic hippy movement to conclude that while this god of ecstasy is worthy of contemporary reconsideration it is vital to heed the warning of the ancients - "MEDEN AGAN" - nothing in excess.

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