Web Theoi
DIONYSOS TITLES
 
OTHER DIONYSOS CULT PAGES
Dionysos Cult 1, Part 2

DIONYSOS was the god of wine, wilderness and vegetation.

This page describes his various cult titles and poetic epithets.

ENCYCLOPEDIA DIONYSOS TITLES

ACRATO′PHORUS (Akratophoros), a surname of Dionysus, by which he was designated as the giver of unmixed wine, and worshipped at Phigaleia in Arcadia. (Paus. viii. 39. § 4.)

ACROEITES (Akrôreitês), a surname of Dionysus, under which he was worshipped at Sicyon, and which is synonymous with Eriphius, under which name he was worshipped at Metapontum in southern Italy. (Steph. Byz. s. v. Akrôreia.)

ADO′NEUS (Adôneus). 1. A surname of Bacchus, signifies the Ruler. (Auson. Epigr. xxix. 6.)
2. Adoneus is sometimes used by Latin poets for Adonis. (Plaut. Menaech. i. 2. 35; Catull. xxix. 9.)

AEGO′BOLUS (Aigobolos), the goat-killer, a surname of Dionysus, at Potniae in Boeotia. (Paus. ix. 8. § 1.)

AESYMNE′TES (Aisumnêtês), a surname of Dionysus, which signifies the Lord, or Ruler, and under which he was worshipped at Aroë in Achaia. The story about the introduction of his worship there is as follows: There was at Troy an ancient image of Dionysus, the work of Hephaestus, which Zeus had once given as a present to Dardanus. It was kept in a chest, and Cassandra, or, according to others, Aeneas, left this chest behind when she quitted the city, because she knew that it would do injury to him who possessed it. When the Greeks divided the spoils of Troy among themselves, this chest fell to the share of the Thessallian Eurypylus, who on opening it suddenly fell into a state of madness. The oracle of Delphi, when consulted about his recovery, answered, "Where thou shalt see men performing a strange sacrifice, there shalt thou dedicate the chest, and there shalt thou settle." When Eurypylus came to Aroë in Achaia, it was just the season at which its inhabitants offered every year to Artemis Triclaria a human sacrifice, consisting of the fairest youth and the fairest maiden of the place. This sacrifice was offered as an atonement for a crime which had once been committed in the temple of the goddess. But an oracle had declared to them, that they should be released from the necessity of making this sacrifice, if a foreign divinity should be brought to them by a foreign king. This oracle was now fulfilled. Eurypylus on seeing the victims led to the altar was cured of his madness and perceived that this was the place pointed out to him by the oracle; and the Aroëans also, on seeing the god in the chest, remembered the old prophecy, stopped the sacrifice, and instituted a festival of Dionysus Aesymnetes, for this was the name of the god in the chest. Nine men and nine women were appointed to attend to his worship. During one night of this festival a priest carried the chest outside the town, and all the children of the place, adorned, as formerly the victims used to be, with garlands of corn-ears, went down to the banks of the river Meilichius, which had before been called Ameilichius, hung up their garlands, purified themselves, and then put on other garlands of ivy, after which they returned to the sanctuary of Dionysus Aesymnetes. (Paus. vii. 19 and 20.) This tradition, though otherwise very obscure, evidently points to a time when human sacrifices were abolished at Aroë by the introduction of a new worship. At Patrae in Achaia there was likewise a temple dedicated to Dionysus Aesymnetes. (Paus. vii. 21. § 12.)

AGRI′ONIUS (Agriônios), a surname of Dionysus, under which he was worshipped at Orchomenus in Boeotia, and from which his festival Agrionia in that place derived its name. (Dict. of Ant. p. 30; Müller, Orchom. p. 166, &c.)

AMPHI′ETES or AMPHIE′TERUS (Amphietês), a surname of Dionysus. (Orph. Hymn. 52. 1, 51. 10.) It is believed that at Athens, where the Dionysiac festivals were held annually, the name signified yearly, while at Thebes, where they were celebrated every third year, it was interpretated to be synonymous with trietês.

ANTHEUS (Antheus), the blooming, a surname of Dionysus. (Paus. vii. 21. § 2.) Anthius, a surname which Dionysus bore at Athens, is probably only a different form for Antheus. (Paus. i. 31. § 2.)

BACCHUS. [DIONYSUS.]

BA′SSAREUS (Bassareus), a surname of Dionysus (Hor. Carm. i. 18. 11; Macrob. Sat. i. 18), which, according to the explanations of the Greeks, is derived from bassara or bassaris, the long robe which the god himself and the Maenads used to wear in Thrace, and whence the Maenads themselves are often called bassarae or bassarides. The name of this garment again seems to be connected with, or rather the same as, bassaris, a fox (Hesych. s. v. bassarai), probably because it was originally made of fox-skins. Others derive the name Bassareus from a Hebrew word, according to which its meaning would be the same as the Greek protrugês, that is, the precursor of the vintage. On some of the vases discovered in southern Italy Dionysus is represented in a long garment which is commonly considered to be the Thracian bassara.

BRISAEUS (Brisaios), a surname of Dionysus, derived from mount Brisa in Lesbos (Steph. Byz. s. v. Brisa), or from a nymph Brisa, who was said to have brought up the god. (Schol. ad Pers. Sat. i. 76.)

BRO′MIUS (Bromios), a surname of Dionysus, which some explain by saying, that he was born during a storm of thunder and lightning (Diod. iv. 5; Dion Chrys. Or. 27); others derive it from the nymph Brome, or from the noise of the Bacchantic processions, whence the verb bromeazesthai, to rage like a Bacchant (Ov. Met. iv. 11; Orph. Lith. xviii. 77.) There is also a my thical personage of this name. (Apollod. ii. 1. § 5.)

CALYDO′NIUS (Kaludônios), a surname of Dionysus, whose image was carried from Calydon to Patrae (Paus. vii. 21. § 1), and of Meleager, the hero in the Calydonian hunt. (Ov. Met. viii. 231.)

CRE′SIUS (Krêsios), a surname of Dionysus at Argos, where he had a temple in which Ariadne was said to be buried. (Paus. ii. 23. § 7.)

DENDRI′TES (Dendritês), the god of the tree, a surname of Dionysus, which has the same import as Dasyllius, the giver of foliage. (Plut. Sympos. 5; Paus. i. 43. § 5.)

ELEUTHEREUS (Eleuthereus), a surname of Dionysus, which he derived either from Eleuther, or the Boeotian town of Eleutherae; but it may also be regarded as equivalent to the Latin Liber, and thus describes Dionysus as the deliverer of man from care and sorrow. (Paus. i. 20. § 2, 38. § 8; Plut Quaest. Rom. 101.) The form Eleutherius is certainly used in the sense of the deliverer, and occurs also as the surname of Zeus. (Plut Sylmpos. vii. in fin.; Pind Ol. xii. 1; Strab. ix. p. 412; Tacit Ann. xv. 64.)

ENORCHES (Enorchês), a son of Thyestes by his sister Daeta, was born out of an egg, and built a temple to Dionysus, who was hence called Dionysus Enorches, though Enorches may also describe the god as the dancer. (Tzetz. ad Lycoph. 212 ; Hesych. s. v.)

ENYA′LIUS (Enualios), the warlike, frequently occurs in the Iliad (never in the Odyssey) either as an epithet of Ares . . . Dionysus, too, is said to have been surnamed Enyalius. (Macrob. Sat. i. 19.)

EUBU′LEUS (Eubouleus). Eubuleus occurs also as a surname of several divinities, and describes them as gods of good counsel, such as Hades and Dionysus. (Schol. ad Nicand. Alex. 14; Orph. Hymn. 71. 3; Macrob. Sat. i. 18; Plut. Sympos. vii. 9.)

HYES (Huês), the moist or fertilising god, occurs like Hyetius, as a surname of Zeus, as the [p. 534] sender of rain. (Hesych. s. v. huês.) . . . Hyes was also a surname of Dionysus, or rather of the Phrygian Sabazius, who was identified sometimes with Dionysus, and sometimes with Zeus. (Hesych. l.c.; Strab. p. 471.)

INTONSUS, i.e. unshorn, a surname of Apollo and Bacchus, alluding to the eternal youth of these gods, as the Greek youths allowed their hair to grow until they attained the age of manhood, though in the case of Apollo it may also allude to his being the god of the sun, whence the long floating hair would indicate the rays of the sun. (Hom. Il. xx. 39, Hymn. in Apoll. 134; Horat. Epod. xv. 9; Tibull. i. 4. 34; Ov. Met. iii. 421, Amor. i. 14. 31; Martial, iv. 45.)

ISODAETES (Isodaitês), from daiô, i.e. the god who distributes his gifts equally to all, occurs as a surname of Dionysus Zagreus. (Plut. de Ei. ap. Delph. 9.)

LAMPTER (Lamptêr), i.e. the shining or torch-bearer, a surname of Dionysus, under which he was worshipped at Pellene in Achaia, where a festival called lamptêria was celebrated in his honour. (Paus. vii. 27. § 2.)

LAPHY′STIUS (Laphustios). A surname of Dionysus, from the Boeotian mountain Laphystius, whence the female Bacchantes were called, in the Macedonian dialect, Laphystiae. (Tzetz. ad Lycoph. 1236; Miiller, Orchom. p. 168, 2d edit.)

LARISSAEUS (Larissaios, surnames of Zeus and Apollo, derived from the arx Larissa at Argos (Paus. ii. 24. § 4; Strab. ix. p. 440, xiv. 649; Steph. Byz. s. v. Larissa).

LENAEUS (Lhnaios), a surname of Dionysus, derived from lênos, the wine-press or the vintage. (Hesych. s. v.; Virg. Georg. ii. 4. 529; Dict. of Ant. s. v. Lenaea.)

LIMNE′GENES, LIMNAEA, LIMNE′TES (Limnaia os, Limnêtês is, Limnêgenês), i.e. inhabiting or born in a lake or marsh, is a surname of several divinities who were believed either to have sprung from a lake, or had their temples near a lake. Instances are, Dionysus at Athens (Eustath. ad Hom. p. 871; Callim. Fragm. 280, Bentl.; Thuc. ii. 15; Aristoph. Ran. 216; Athen. x. p. 437, xi. p. 465), and Artemis.

LYAEUS (Luaios), the god who frees men from care and anxiety, a surname of Bacchus. (Eustath. ad Hom. p. 108; Virg. Georg. ii. 229.)

LY′SIUS (Lusios), i.e. the Deliverer, a surname of Dionysus, under which he was worshipped at Corinth, where there was a carved image of the god, the whole figure of which was gilt, while the face was painted red. (Paus. ii. 2. § 5.) He was also worshipped at Sicyon, where the Theban Phanes was said to have introduced the god (ii. 7. § 6), and at Thebes. In the last-mentioned place he had a sanctuary near one of the gates, and there was a story that the god had received the surname from the fact of his once having delivered Theban prisoners from the hands of the Thracians in the neighbourhood of Haliartus (ix. 16. § 4; Orph. Hymn. 49, 2, &c.)

MEILI′CHIUS (Meilichios), i. e. the god that can be propitiated, or the gracious, is used as a surname of several divinities. 1. Of Zeus, as the protector of those who honoured him with propitiatory sacrifice . . . 2. Of Dionysus in the island of Naxos. (Athen. iii. p. 78.)

MELANAEGIS (Melanaigis), i.e. armed or clad with a black aegis, occurred as a surname of Dionysus at Eleutherae (Suid. s. v. Eleutheros ; Paus. i. 38. § 8), and at Athens (Suid. s. v. Apatouria; Conon, Narrat. 39; Paus. ii. 35. § 1), and of the Erinnys. (Aeschy. Sept. 700.)

MELPO′MENUS (Melpomenos), or the singer, was a surname of Dionysus at Athens, and in the Attic demos of Acharne. (Paus. i. 2. § 4, 31. § 3.)

MESATEUS (Mesteus), a surname of Dionysus, derived from the town of Mesatis, where, according to a tradition at Patrae, he had been educated. (Paus. vii. 18. § 3, 21. § 2.)

METHYMNAEUS (Mêthumnaios), a surname of Dionysus, derived, according to some, from Methymna, rich in vines. (Hesych. s. v. ; Virg. Georg. ii. 20.) Others derived it from methe (sweet or wine), as Plutarch (Sympos. iii. 2) and Athenaeus (viii. p. 363)

NYSAEUS, NY′SIUS, NYSEUS, or NYSI′GENA (Nusêïos), a surname of Dionysus, derived from Nysa, a mountain or city, either in Thrace, Arabia, or India, where he was said to have been brought up by nymphs. According to some, it was derived from Nisus, who is said to have been his father, or at least to have educated him. (Hom. Il. vi. 133, Hymn. xxv. 5; Apollon. Rhod. ii. 905, iv. 431; Diod. i. 15, iii. 68; Cic. de Nat. Deor. iii. 23; Virg. Aen. vi. 806; Ov. Met. iv. 13.)

OMA′DIUS (Ômadios), that is, the flesh-eater, a surname of Dionysus, to whom human sacrifices were offered in Chios and Tenedos. (Orph. Hymn. 51. 7; Porphyr. de Abstin. ii. 55.)

PHLEON (Phleôn), i. e. the giver of plenty, is a surname of Dionysus, describing the god as promoting the fertility of plants and trees. (Aelian, V.H. iii. 41.) A similar surname of the god is Phlyus (from phluen; Schol. ad Apollon. Rhod. i. 115.)

PSILAS (Psilas), i.e. "the giver of wings," or "the unbearded," a surname of Dionysus, under which he was worshipped at Amyclae. (Paus. iii. 19. § 6; Lobeck ad Phrynich. p. 435.)

SOTER (Sôtêr), i. e. "the Saviour" (Lat. Servator or Sospes), occurs as the surname of several divinities :-- 1. of Zeus . . . 2. Of Helios (Paus. viii. 31. § 4), and 3. of Bacchus. (Lycoph. 206.)

TAUROCE′PHALUS (Taurokephalos, also Taurokranos, Taurometôpos, &c.), a surname of Dionysus in the Orphic mysteries. (Orph. Hymn. 51. 2.) It also occurs as a surname of rivers and the ocean, who were symbolically represented as bulls, to indicate their fertilising effect upon countries. (Eurip. Iphig. Aul. 275, Orest. 1378 ; Aelian, V. H. ii. 33; Horat. Carm. iv. 14, 25.)

TAURUS (Tauros), a bull, occurs as a surname of Dionysus. (Eurip. Bacch. 918 ; Athen. xi. p. 476; Plut. Quaest. Graec. 36 ; Lycoph. Cass. 209.)

THYO′NEUS (Thuôneus). A surname of Dionysus which has the same meaning as Thyone, both being formed from thuein, "to be inspired." (Ov. Met. iv. 13; Horat. Carm. i. 17. 23; Oppian, Cyneg. 27 ; Hesych. s. v. Thuônidês.)

ZAGREUS (Zagreus), a surname of the mystic Dionysus (Dionusos chthonios), whom Zeus, in the form of a dragon, is said to have begotten by Persephone, previously to her being carried off by Pluto (Callim. Fragm. 171, ed. Bentl.; Etym. Magn. s. v. ; Orph. Hymn. 29 ; Ov. Met. vi. 114 ; Nonnius, Dionys. vi. 264). He was torn to pieces by the Titans, though he defended himself bravely, and assumed various forms; and Athena carried his heart to Zeus. (Tzetz. ad Lycoph. 355 ; Lobeck, Aglaopham. p. 547, &c.)

Source: Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.

CULT TITLES OF DIONYSOS

The first of Dionysos' cult titles refer to his various divine functions, as god of the Bacchic orgy, nocturnal revels, wine, feasts, freedom and salvation, fertility, tragedy plays, the underworld.

Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
BakcoV
Bakkhos
Bacchus
Of the Bacchic
Frenzy
BakceioV
Bakkheios
Baccheus
Of the Bacchic Frenzy
IobakcoV
Iobakkhos
Iobacchus
Of the Ritual
Bacchic-Cry
IakcoV
Iakkhos
Iacchus
Of the Ritual
Iakkhe-Cry
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
LuaioV
Lyaios
Lyaeus
--
Euasthr
Euastêr
Evaster
Of the Ritual
Euoi-Cry
BromioV
Bromios
Bromius
Noisy, Boisterous
MainolhV
Mainolês
Maenoles
Mad, Raging
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
NuktelioV
Nyktelios
Nyctelius
Of the Night
LampthroV
Lamptêros
Lampterus
Of the Torches
'EstiwVh
Hestios
Hestius
Of the Feast
KwlwthV
Kôlôtês
Colotes
Spotted Gecko
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
LhnaioV
Lênaios
Lenaeus
Of the Wine Press
LinaioV
Linaios
Linaeus
Of the Wine Press
ProtrugaioV
Protrygaios
Protrygaeus
Vingate-Presider
ErebinqinoV
Erebinthinos
Erebinthinus
Of the Chickpea
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
QeoinoV
Theoinos
Theoenus
Of the Wine
Oinoy
Oinops
Oenops
Wine-Dark
AkratoforoV
Akratophoros
Acratophorus
Bringer of
Mixed Wine

AgaqoV Daimon
Agathos Daimon
Agathus Daemon
Good Spirit

Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
KissioV
Kissios
Cisseus
Of the Ivy
KittoforoV
Kittophoros
Cittophorus
Ivy-Bearer

KistoforoV
Kistophoros
Cistophorus
Basket-Bearer

Anqion
Anthion
Anthion
Of the Flowers
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
Dimhtwr
Dimêtôr
Dimetor
Twice Born
AndrogunoV
Androgynos
Androgynus
Androgynous
(sexually)
EirafiwthV
Eiraphiôtês
Iraphiotes
Of the Goat-Kid, or The Insewn
MelanaigiV
Melanaigis
Melanaegis
Of the Black Goat-Skin, Dark Aigis
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
AigoboloV
Aigobolos
Aegobolus
Goat-Slayer
BoufagoV
Bouphagos
Buphagus
Cow-Eater
MoscofagoV
Moskhophagos
Moschophagus
Calf-Eater
TaurofagoV
Taurophagos
Taurophagus
Bull-Eater
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
Anqropor-
raistoV

Anthroporraistos
Anthroporraestus
Man-Slayer
LusioV
Lysios
Lysius
Of Release, Releasing
EleuqereuV
Eleuthereus
Eleuthereus
Liberation, Freedom
Yilax
Psilax
Psilax
Wings (Uplifted
on Wings)
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
SawthV
Saôtês
Saotes
Saviour
SwthrioV
Sôtêrios
Soterius
Recovery
(from madness)
MusthV
Mystês
Mystes
Of the Mysteries
MelpomenoV
Melpomenos
Melpomenus
Singer, Minstrel,
Muse of Tragedy
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
Fallhn
Phallên
Phallen
Phallic, Of the Phallus
AuxithV
Auxitês
Auxites
Giver of Increase
AguieuV
Agyieus
Agyeus
(Protector) Of the Street, of the Ways
PatrwioV
Patrôios
Patroeus
Paternal, Ancestral
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
AisumnhthV
Aisymnêtês
Aesymnetes
Dictator
PolithV
Politês
Polites
Citizen
ZagreuV
Zagreus
Zagreus
--
SabazioV
Sabazios
Sabazius
--
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
CqonioV
Khthonios
Chthonius
Of the Earth, Of
the Underworld
     

Greek Name Transliteration Latin Spelling

Translation

Flewn Phleôn Phleon Luxuriant (of foliage)
ProtrugaioV Protrygaios Protrygaeus First of the Vintage
StafulithV Staphylitês Staphylites Of the Grape
OmfakithV Omphakitês Omphacites Of the Unripe Grape

Another set of cult titles come from locales of shrines and their founders.

Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
EleuqereuV
Eleuthereus
Eleuthereus
Of Eleutherai
(in Attika)
LeukuanithV
Leukyanitês
Leucyanites
Of R. Leukyanias
(in Elis)
KaludwnioV
Kalydônios
Calydonius
Of Kalydon
(in Aitolia)
KrhV
Krês
Cres
Of Krete
(Island Aegean)
Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
KadmoV
Kadmos
Cadmus
Of Kadmos
(hero Thebes)
KolwnateV
Kolônatês
Colonates
Of the Knoll
LimnaioV
Limnaios
Limnaeus
Of the Marsh
 

Some titles remain obscure.

Greek Title:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
DasullioV
Dasyllios
Dasyllius
--
     

CULT TERMS OF DIONYSOS

Some general terms relating to the god's cult include:

Greek Term:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
Dionusion
Dionysion
Dionyseum
Temple of Dionysos
Lhnaion
Lênaion
Lenaeum
Temple of Dionysos Lenaios
Dionusia
Dionysia
Dionysia
Festival of Dionysos
Lhnaia
Lênaia
Lenaea
Wine-Press Festival
Greek Term:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
Qeoinia
Theoinia
Theonia
Wine Festival (Rural Dionysia)
Anqesthria
Anthestêria
Anthesteria
Festival of the Flowers
Apatouria
Apatouria
Apaturia
Festival of Deception
Lampthria
Lamptêria
Lampteria
Torch Festival
Greek Term:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
Askwlia
Askôlia
Ascolia
Wine-Skin Festival
Skiereia
Skiereia
Sciria
Festival of the Shade
FelloV
Phellos
Phellus
Festival of the Rocky Land
Quia
Thyia
Thyia
Festival of Wild Revels
Greek Term:
Transliteration:
Latin Spelling:
Translation:
Turbh
Tyrbê
Tyrba
Festival of Tumult
Astudromia
Astydromia
Astydromia
Town-Running Festival
Anqesthriwn
Anthestêriôn
Anthesterion
Month of Dionysos Anthesterios
 

POETIC TITLES & EPITHETS OF DIONYSOS

This list is still to be compiled.

I) Common Homeric titles of Dionysos:

II) Common Homeric epithets of Dionysos:


Aelian, Historical Miscellany 3. 41 (trans. Wilson) (Greek rhetorician C2nd to 3rd A.D.) :
"Note that the ancients used the word phlyein (to luxuriate) of an abundant yield of fruit. So they called Dionysos Phleon (the luxuriant), Protrygaios (the first at the vintage), Staphylites (the god of the grape), Omphakites (the god of the unripe grape), and various other epithets."

"Apollonion is short for the temple of Apollon ... and Dionysion [for Dionysos]." - Suidas "Athenaion"

"Dionysos: The son of Semele. [So named] from accomplishing (dianuein) for each of those who live the wild life; or from providing (dianoein) everything for those who live the wild life." - Suidas "Dionysos"
[NB The etymology here is unusual.]

"Zagreus: Dionysos in poets. For Zeus, it seems, had intercourse with Persephone, and she gave birth to Dionysos Khthonios (of the earth, underworld)." - Suidas "Zagreus"

"Saboi: Demosthenes [in the speech] On Behalf of Ktesiphon [mentions them]. Some say that Saboi is the term for those who are dedicated to Sabazios, that is to Dionysos, just as those [dedicated] to Bakkhos [are] Bakkhoi. They say that Sabazios and Dionysos are the same. Thus some also say that the Greeks call the Bakkhoi Saboi. But Mnaseas of Patrai [C3rd BC] says that Sabazios is the son of Dionysos." - Suidas "Saboi"(from Harpocration s.v., quoting Demosthenes 18.260)

"Bromios: Dionysos, the birth-maker of fruits. From bora (food) comes borimos, and by metathesis bromios." - Dionysos "Bromios"
[NB The etymology here is unusual, bromios means noisy or boisterous.]

"Iobakkhos: A proper name." - Suidas "Iobakkhos"

"Iakkhos: Dionysos; or a hymn to Dionysos." - Suidas "Iakkhos"

"Euastêr (who cries Euoi!): Epithet of Dionysos. From the ecstatic cry Euoi! In the Epigrams: 'These things of the open country Arkadian Biton, when an old man, dedicated to Pan and Lyaios who cries Eoi!, that is to Lyaios and the Nymphai." - Suidas "Euaster" (quoting Leonidas of Tarentum, Greek Anthology 6.154)

"Mainolês (frenzied): Mad. Raging." - Suidas "Mainoles"

"Lênaios: A name of Dionysos." - Suidas "Lenaios"

"Linaios: [A title of] Dionysos." - Suidas "Linaios"

"Dionysos was named twice-born (dimetor) by the ancients, counting it as a single and first birth when the plant is set in the ground and begins to grow, and as a second birth when it becomes laden with fruit and ripens its grape-clusters - the god thus being considered as having been born once from the earth and again from the vine." - Diodorus Siculus, Library of History 3.62.5

"Dimêtôr (twice-born): Dionysos." - Suidas "Dimetor"

"Eiraphiôtês: Dionysos, from the fact that he was sewn up (erraphthai) in the thigh of Zeus." - Suidas "Eiraphiotes"
[one of seven etymologies proffered by the ancients; others include connection with eriphos, goat-kid.]

"Kistophoros (basket-bearer, ivy-bearer): It seems that baskets were sacred to Dionysos and the Two Goddesses [Demeter and Persephone]." -Suidas "Kistophoros"
(Derived from Harpocration "kittophoros", the ivy-bearer.)

"Protrygaios (vintage-presider): An epithet of Dionysos." - Suidas "Protrygaios"

"Oinops (wine-dark): 'To wine-dark [so-and-so]', to black [so-and-so]. In the Epigrams: ' ... from which we poured libations, as much [as is] right, to wine-dark Bakkhos and the Satyroi.' But ruddy (oinôpos) [means] wine-coloured, bright or black. 'Feeding on the ruddy grape-cluster of Bakkhos." - Suidas "Oinops" (quoting Greek Anthology 6.44.5 & 7.20.2)

"Androgynos (androgynous): [A word applied to] Dionysos, as one doing both active, male things and passive, female ones [specifically sexual intercourse]." - Suidas "Androgynos"

"Melanaigis Dionysos: Dionysos of the Black Aigis (Goat-skin)." - Suidas "Melanaigis Dionysos"

"Taurophagon (bull-eating): Dionysos. Sophokles in Tyros [calls him so]. [Used] instead of bouphagos (cow-eater) because an ox was given to Dionysos by the winners of the dithyrambic [competition].[3] Alternatively the eater of raw flesh. From which Aristophanes has even applied the name, metaphorically, to Kratinos: 'Who [...] has neither seen or danced the orgia of the noble Mousai, nor been initiated in the Bakkhic rites of the tongue of bull-eating Kratinos.' ... What the passage from the Tyros of Sophokles says [is]: 'of Dionysus the bull-eater'. And because he [Kratinos] loved wine; and because of this, they give this epithet of Dionysos to him. Some apply the word, even more curiously, to the mother of Kratinos, who had been initiated in the Bakkhic rites, which are those of Dionysos Moskhophagos (the calf-eater).
Alternatively rash (tolmera), from the Bakkhoi." - Suidas "Taurophagon" (quoting Sophocles frag 668 & Aristophanes Frogs 355

"Kôlôtês (Gecko): Spotted lizard ... Also Kolotes, [an epithet of] Dionysos." - Suidas "Kolotes" [mentioned only here as an epithet of Dionysos]

"Erebinthinos Dionysos (chickpea Dionysos): [A proverb] applied to worthless people/things." - Suidas "Erebinthinos Dionysos" (from Zenobius 3.83)


Sources:

  • Pausanias, Guide to Greece - Greek Geography C2nd AD
  • Aelian, Historical Miscellany - Greek Rhetoric C2nd-3rd A.D.
  • Suidas - Byzantine Lexicographer C10th AD
  • Others, see Cult of Dionysos pages