Even so, one of the deities who was once among the most beloved in Greek and later Roman culture is somewhat of a side character or lesser-known being these days. This superbly lovable god of Ancient Greek myth is Dionysus, and it just so happens that discovering the temple devoted to them takes you to the idyllic island of Naxos.
History and culture are infused into the way of life you experience on the island of Naxos.
Before I dive further into the history of the island, here is a few more reasons why it's one of the best islands to visit in Greece.
Celebrating the God of Euphoria, Relaxation, and Good Times
Also known as Bacchus, which was his enduring name when adopted by the Romans as well, Dionysus is often framed in modern lenses as being one of chaos and debauchery, but rather, he was a cheery and fun-loving character in the Greek myths. He freed his followers of their self-conscious fears, anxieties, and the restraints of societal structures.
So, he was naturally aligned with grapes, wine, music, and dance. Much of this stems from his creation, in which he was sewn into Zeus’ thigh when the ruler of Olympus came to visit his mortal mother, killing her with his very presence. He represented the lifeblood of nature, associated with the fun that makes life worth living.
While not as well-known as many others, Dionysus does have a place in modern pop culture. For a true look at their exploits, the Thames & Hudson Myths series has a superb dedicated section to him. In modern fiction, we’ve seen him show up in Kaos trying desperately to impress Zeus, as well as a party boy in Lost Girl and The Magicians.
It’s this latter angle, the one of partying, that has been run with for his entry to the collection of online slots UK players can find. Ancient Greece is a very popular theme here, but the exclusive game Dionysus Party: FunReels Jackpots stands out even alongside Wisdom of Athena and King of Olympus Megaways for its distinct appeal.
Finding the Cult of Dionysus
The Cult of Dionysus inspired ecstatic rituals, dancing through the night, and all other forms of fun times in the name of the much-loved deity. So magnetic was this cult and their fun times that it made it to Egypt in the times of the Ptolemaic dynasty and endured for centuries around the Mediterranean.
We can still discover that the home of this easy-to-love cult is on Naxos. A truly stunning island, around five kilometres from its capital, the town of Chora, you’ll find the ancient ruins of Naós Tou Dionýsou Ýria. The temple is found in Iria, representing a 6th-Century build by the locals of Naxos to create a dedicated place of worship.
Of course, this worship to Dionysus wasn’t exactly what you’d find in temples dedicated to other members of the pantheon. Worship here was much more of a celebration. It’s said that the presumed popularity and interest in Naxos as a result of this temple led to four more temples being built in his honour.
Now, Naxos is hailed as The Island of Dionysus, with the island very much offering total immersion in the core tenets of the god himself. Enjoy natural beauty, wonderfully romantic settings, great wine and cheese, and a fun-loving atmosphere with a visit to the place where Dionysus can still be celebrated today.
1. Authenticity - Naxos is known for being less commercialised and retaining that traditional Greek identity, which is also helped by the fact that far fewer cruise ships visit this Greek island and instead opt for places like Santorini instead. This also means you have a more authentic experience, but do expect fewer locals to speak English (which to me is a good thing) than on more popular islands in Greece.
2. It's the perfect destination for history. lovers because as I mentioned at the start of this post, it's packed with ancient and historical sites to explore, from an array of impressive and well-preserved Temples to Castles and towers, ancient statues and authentic, quaint mountain villages.
3. Beautiful sandy beaches are also plentiful here, with crystal-clear waters, and a good balance of lively beaches as well as more secluded and quiet ones. There are also excellent wind conditions for those who enjoy a spot of windsurfing, and if watersports are not your thing, then the diverse landscape offers lots of hiking opportunities.
4. You are spoiled for choice when it comes to food options as Naxos is known for its high-quality local produce, seafood and cheeses and there are numerous restaurants to be enjoyed in both Chora and authentic villages.
5. Good value & accessibility - Naxos in comparison to the more well-known islands, is generally more affordable, esepically during the off season. It's also well connected with daily ferries and flights to Athens, it's also near a lot of other islands, so it's also a good location for day trip options.
Now, back to the history and legends that make Naxos such a fascinating place
Celebrating the God of Euphoria, Relaxation, and Good Times
Also known as Bacchus, which was his enduring name when adopted by the Romans as well, Dionysus is often framed in modern lenses as being one of chaos and debauchery, but rather, he was a cheery and fun-loving character in the Greek myths. He freed his followers of their self-conscious fears, anxieties, and the restraints of societal structures.
So, he was naturally aligned with grapes, wine, music, and dance. Much of this stems from his creation, in which he was sewn into Zeus’ thigh when the ruler of Olympus came to visit his mortal mother, killing her with his very presence. He represented the lifeblood of nature, associated with the fun that makes life worth living.
While not as well-known as many others, Dionysus does have a place in modern pop culture. For a true look at their exploits, the Thames & Hudson Myths series has a superb dedicated section to him. In modern fiction, we’ve seen him show up in Kaos trying desperately to impress Zeus, as well as a party boy in Lost Girl and The Magicians.
It’s this latter angle, the one of partying, that has been run with for his entry to the collection of online slots UK players can find. Ancient Greece is a very popular theme here, but the exclusive game Dionysus Party: FunReels Jackpots stands out even alongside Wisdom of Athena and King of Olympus Megaways for its distinct appeal.
Finding the Cult of Dionysus
The Cult of Dionysus inspired ecstatic rituals, dancing through the night, and all other forms of fun times in the name of the much-loved deity. So magnetic was this cult and their fun times that it made it to Egypt in the times of the Ptolemaic dynasty and endured for centuries around the Mediterranean.
We can still discover that the home of this easy-to-love cult is on Naxos. A truly stunning island, around five kilometres from its capital, the town of Chora, you’ll find the ancient ruins of Naós Tou Dionýsou Ýria. The temple is found in Iria, representing a 6th-Century build by the locals of Naxos to create a dedicated place of worship.
Of course, this worship to Dionysus wasn’t exactly what you’d find in temples dedicated to other members of the pantheon. Worship here was much more of a celebration. It’s said that the presumed popularity and interest in Naxos as a result of this temple led to four more temples being built in his honour.
Now, Naxos is hailed as The Island of Dionysus, with the island very much offering total immersion in the core tenets of the god himself. Enjoy natural beauty, wonderfully romantic settings, great wine and cheese, and a fun-loving atmosphere with a visit to the place where Dionysus can still be celebrated today.
