28 september 2025
The Rest Is History | 604. Greek Myths: Sex, Drugs & Tragedy (Part 3)
Who was Dionysus, the son of Zeus, and Greek god of ecstasy, revelry and madness? Why was he so central to the ancient Greeks? What is the story of the Bacchae, the play in which a young man is ripped apart by the handmaidens of the goddess Artemis? What did it mean to be a Bacchae, one of the followers of Dionysus, and what shocking acts did it entail? Why were female cults like this believed to be integral to the survival of Athens? How did Dionysus’ cult subvert all the conventions of Ancient Greek society? What hedonistic revels occurred at his festivals every year? And, what hidden secrets about his historical origins have been unlocked by subsequent archaeological discoveries…? Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss one of the most exotic and erotic of the Greek gods: Dionysus, and the origins of The Bacchae, the tragedy that immortalised his story, but also transformed Greek drama, and thereby the world, forever… Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude Video Producer: Bruno Di Castri + Jack Meek Social Producer: Harry Balden Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor
Tom Holland, Dominic Sandbrook, Theo Young-Smith, Tabby Syrett, Aaliyah Akude, Bruno Di Castri, Jack Meek, Harry Balden, Jack Davenport, Tony Pastor