# Pentheus — Metamorphoses character guide

> Pentheus in Metamorphoses by Ovid.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the rash Pentheus

**First appearance:** 0026-story-of-pentheus

## Who they are

Theban king torn apart by Bacchants for denying Bacchus.

## In the story

### [Book III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/book-iii)

King of Thebes who denies Bacchus's divinity and is torn apart by maenads.

### [Story of Pentheus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-pentheus)

The rash King of Thebes who denies Bacchus's divinity and forbids worship of the new god.

### [Mariners Transformed to Dolphins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/mariners-transformed-to-dolphins)

The rash king who interrogates Acoetes and dismisses his tale as a lie, ordering his torture.

### [Death of Pentheus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/death-of-pentheus)

The rash king who defies Bacchus and is torn apart by his mother and aunts.

### [Story of Alcithoe and Her Sisters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/chapters/story-of-alcithoe-and-her-sisters)

Mentioned as a previous victim of Bacchus's vengeance, serving as a warning to the sisters.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters/pentheus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/metamorphoses_se/characters