Metamorphoses · Character

Bacchus

The wine-god whose power transforms pirates into dolphins and drives Theban women to madness, a deity whose gifts blur the line between ecstasy and destruction.

supporting

Also known as Trees Bacchus

First appearance: Birth of Bacchus

As a supporting figure in Metamorphoses, Bacchus is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The unborn god rescued from Semele's womb and sewn into Jupiter's thigh; later fostered by Ino and the Niseans.

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Bacchus has conquered Thebes, and his aunt Ino boasts of fostering the god while her sisters suffer madness for denying him. Juno, watching Ino's pride, vows revenge and descends to the underworld to summon the Furies…

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Character Web

18 connections

A slice of how Bacchus sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Myths of love, pride, and punishment
Heroes, gods, and their victims
Diverse mortals and gods in transformation
Transformation through desire and violence

+13 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of Telethusa’s de…

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In the story

Bacchus appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Birth of Bacchus
The unborn god rescued from Semele's womb and sewn into Jupiter's thigh; later fostered by Ino and the Niseans.
Story of Pentheus
The young god whose rites Pentheus profanes; he is sought but not found by Pentheus's servants.
Mariners Transformed to Dolphins
The god who reveals his divinity by transforming the mariners into dolphins and sparing Acoetes.
Death of Pentheus
The god whose rites Pentheus profanes, inspiring the frenzy that leads to Pentheus's death.
Book IV
God whose rites are mocked by Alcithoe and her sisters; they are punished for their impiety.
Story of Alcithoe and Her Sisters
The god whose rites are scorned by Alcithoe and her sisters; described as doubly born, eternally youthful, and victorious over Lycurgus and Pentheus.
Alcithoe and Her Sisters Transformed to Bats
The deity whose power punishes the impious sisters.
Transformation of Ino and Melicerta to Sea-Gods
Bacchus's power over Thebes is acknowledged; Ino is his nurse and calls upon him as she flees in madness.
Story of Perseus
The conquering god who rode through India and was honored in Greece, but was profaned by Acrisius.
Song of the Pierides
Transformed into a goat during the giants' war.
Book VI
The god whose triennial festival provides the cover for Procne to rescue Philomela.
Transformation of Arachne Into a Spider
Depicted in Arachne's tapestry as the clustering grape, melting into Erigone's lap.
Book VII
Mentioned for disguising a stolen steer as a stag in Ida's grove.
Old Aeson Restored to Youth
Observes Medea's feat and subsequently renews his nurse's youth.
Death of Pelias
Mentioned in Medea's flight as having disguised a stolen steer as a stag.
Book VIII
Mentioned in context of divine transformations and stories.
The Labyrinth
Discovers and marries the abandoned Ariadne, placing her crown in the heavens.
Thracian Women Transformed to Trees
Resolves to revenge the murder of Orpheus by transforming the Thracian women into trees.
Fable of Midas
God who grants Midas's wish and later provides a remedy for the golden touch.
Voyage of Aeneas
Invoked as the author of the gift that transformed Anius' daughters into doves.

Chapter companion notes

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