ABSTRACT
Chapter 8 begins with Dionysos, the god of wine and ecstasy. Traditions connected with his birth and infancy are examined, then to his most characteristic myths in which he exacts revenge on people who mistreat or reject him, including Lycourgos and some pirates during his younger years, and later Pentheus at Thebes and the Minyades in Boeotia. The nature and behaviour of his retinue and female votaries is discussed in this context, and myths of the spreading of his gift of wine are then examined, above that of Icarios and Erigone, and finally his marriage to Ariadne and various love affairs. Hermes is considered as a divine messenger and trickster, his important myths are those of exploits as a new-born infant, when he stole a herd of cattle from Apollo. The divine blacksmith Hephaistos has a few tales, even if he was portrayed as a lame divine craftsman who made a wide range of objects. The final part is devoted to Aphrodite. After a preliminary discussion of her nature and functions as goddess of love, her associates are discussed, for example Eros, and her main myths are examined, which centre on her love for Adonis and other figures.
