The Research For The Image Of Dionysus In The Ancient Greek Vase In The Athens Area

Dionysus was the god worshiped by all the Athenians.The earliest images of Dionysus appear in an ancient Greek vase the sixth century BC in Athens.Meanwhile,with the development of Athenian society,the image of Dionysus on the vase developed a variety of forms over the next two hundred years.In Athens,the establishment and development of Dionysus worship were influenced by many factors such as politics,economy and culture.Therefore,the research of image for Dionysus on the ancient Greek vase in Athens can restore the construction of the image and identity of Dionysus by Athenians to understand the social life and ideas of the Athenians in the change of Athenian society.Initially,this essay uses the method of typology to classifies the images and instruments of Dionysus and analyzes the meaning of different image themes in different instrument shapes.Meanwhile,it discusses the divinity and sociality of Dionysus by analyzing myths and image of Dionysus.In addition,it illustrates the theme of the scene in the Dionysus image based on analyzing Dionysus’ graphic symbolism.Finally,this essay researches the social implications of the images of Dionysus.Dionysus,as a natural god,represented the civilian class that depends on agricultural production to live.The images of plants,animals,and half-human Satyr related to Dionysus’ s images represent the exuberant vitality of nature.The proliferation of images of Dionysus in ancient Greek pottery vases in Athens also reflects,to some extent,the rise of the Athenian plebeian class.With the reform of city society,people pay more attention to the individual.Therefore,they needed a god who was closer to the real world in order to break the restriction of the ancient Greek city-state on the individual spirit.The different images of Dionysus that includes nobility’s symposium,civilian’s dance and religious worship show the pursuit for the individual freedom and enjoyment and,in the same time,the expectation of the Athenian people for the world after death.This essay reveals the changes of the social classes structure in the Athenian city-state society and the awakening of the individual consciousness of the Athenian people by interpreting the image of Dionysus in an ancient Greek vase in Athens.