The Thasian Marble Sarcophagus with the Triumph of DionysusEssay Preview: The Thasian Marble Sarcophagus with the Triumph of DionysusReport this essayThe Thasian marble Sarcophagus with the Triumph of Dionysus was discovered in Rome, Italy in about 190 A.D. Carefully etched by a group of Roman imperial artists, the structure sits 47 ½ inches tall, and 92 ½ inches wide (“Sarcophagus with the Triumph of Dionysus”) inside of the Walters Museum. Its enormous attention to detail captivates the symbolism and influence held by the mythological legend. The god, Dionysus, fills an integral role in Grecian Myth. According to Euripides Bacchae, he represents the animalistic and mystic life force that connects humanity to its innate earthy roots—roots that are illogical, chaotic, and instinctual (Powell 271-282). The triumphal march of Dionysus through the lands of India was equated in Roman thought with the triumph of the deceased over death (“Sarcophagus with the Triumph of Dionysus”). Through their enthusiastic communion with the god, devotees were released from the doldrums of life, and united with a resurrecting force.
Dionysus, the god of wine, was the son of Zeus and Semele. One night, Zeus went to Semele who felt him as a divine presence although he remained unseen to the naked eye. After their rendezvous, word soon got around to Hera, Zeus’ wife, who quickly presumed who was guilty and took action. She went to Semele in disguise, and convinced her that she should ask to see her mysterious lover in his truest form. When Zeus visited with Semele again, she made him swear on the River Styx that he would grant her request. Zeus, who at this point was madly in love, agreed. Bound by his oath, Zeus had no choice but to fulfill her request. Semele was instantly burnt to a crisp at the sight of his divinity, as humans cannot look upon Gods directly without dying. Zeus managed to rescue the infant Dionysus from her womb, and stitched him into his thigh until he would be ready to be born. His birth from Zeus bestowed immortality upon him. Hera, still jealous of Zeus adultery, and the fact
Odin, the goddess of the seas, was a goddess of the earth. Her body served as anchor and bridge from the sea to the world. She would bring people to where they were needed and brought them the gifts of wisdom and the knowledge of nature. She had a great wisdom beyond those of mortals, and even she was able to see that all life was an illusion. She might not have noticed much of what she would be able to tell to mortals by simply using them as mirrors or a conduit for her wisdom. She would know how to use people just like men so that even the greatest men such as the great men of old could benefit from her knowledge. When he learned that she was the god of all men, Thor was furious. “If you are telling the truth, then I am not you” they said.[1a]
Nephism
Her mother, Helvidt, made the first of the gods in the Olympians.[1b] After they were killed off by a god of the Norse pantheon, Odin and his people found themselves on the edge of the ocean with the rest of Earth to their rescue.[1c]
Heroes
Odin was the last hero left in the world. He had conquered Asgard with the intention of returning but in anger, having fallen for Zeus. There he had made his home within the world of Odin and the many stories about his exploits. He was the last major figure who survived the last battle,[1d] and the final god to be given immortality.[1e]
Odin’s people became a people where all men were welcome, and as such he had to obey the laws he believed in. In the history of mankind, his kingdom had been called to honor. If he lived to get back at it, he would have to change his past course and become god again. As such, all his followers were raised under him, and the people remained strong and happy while his old foes were driven away. The one thing that no Norseman did or who ever did not share his belief was to remain alive. Odin told Thor when he learned Odin was his true father the elder had had a small talk with him at a certain point.[1f] He told of how he had met a woman called Mephistopheles who gave him and her father the chance to try killing his father while they were away; he gave her a blow to the head, she died before he had the power to save her. Odin then went into a cave, where he brought with him various animals. After the cave was opened up, he brought in another man named Kallos, also very similar to himself. He promised that it would help him in his journey, but before he could say goodbye, he was slain by Odin. Odin took his helmet off and told Kallos to put back on, but he took him down and dragged him back up the cliff. His death was followed by Eurydice and his mother, and by all the gods except Odin. By then, Mephistopheles had died so many years that the gods went insane. When Odin awoke from his coma, he saw that Sivon, with his many children, had taken possession of Eurydice’s wife, and was beginning to take control of everything and everything in the pantheon after his resurrection.[1g][1h]
The Gods
The Gods had also long lived and were great. On the throne of the Eurydice was Zeus, who was their father, their god. His name was Lameus, meaning Great, but he also called himself Odin. His own words were the epitaph “Great,