Dionysus

=Dionysus =

Dionysus is the son of Zeus, born out of a pocket in his leg. When Dionysus was a baby he was passed around nursemaids who would dress him in ivy, fawns and long snakes. After many adventures he was in the care of Rheia. Rheia taught Dionysus how to ride bareback on lions, catch hares, carry tigers and to not be afraid of wild beasts. When he grew up Zeus told Dionysus that he needed to earn himself a place on Olympus, but only through hard work. This is when Dionysus discovered the fruit of the vine. Dionysus's beloved friend died and on the soil above where he was buried, grew a plant curling like the boy's hair and grapes growing like the boys rosy cheeks. Dionysus squeezed a cluster of grapes in to a horn and then drank the juice when he felt his friend was then not gone but a part of him. This was the gift of wine, which he gave to all of mankind and he warned them not to drink too much for if they did they would become angry but in moderation, nothing but joy would come to them.



Relation to The Lightning Thief In the Lightning Thief Dionysis was the camp director of Camp Half- blood. He was there becasue Zeus was punishing him for mating wiht mortals. Everyone called him Mr. D beause his name is too powerful to be said aloud and the strawberrys always grew really well when he was around.

Sources

**Information** Riordan, Rick. The Lightning Thief. New York: Hyperion Books, 2006.

Rouse, WHD. Gods, Heroes, and Men of Ancient Greece. New York: New American Library, 2001. "Dionysus" Wikipedia. September 19, 2010 <[]> **Picture** Burke, Nikki. "Dionysus".2008.Gods-heros-myth. []