Euripides Bacchae English Translation

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    EURIPIDESBACCHAE

    First production posthumously in 403BCE

    At City Dionysia1stPrize

    Translated by

    eor!e Theodoridis" #00$

    http%&&bacchicsta!e'(ordpress'com&

    )))))*

    Dramatis PersonaeDIONYSOS[1]+also ,no(n as Bromius- Bacchus- E.ius /see ome pa!eTEIRESIAS+Prophet o2 ThebesAD!OS+Founder and 2ormer ,in! o2 ThebesPENTHEUS+in! o2 Thebes- admos !randsonA"A#E+Pentheus mother!ESSEN"ERSER#ANT TO PENTHEUST$O SER#ANTS TO AD!OSCHORUS O% EASTERN BACCHANTSTHEBAN %O&&O$ERS O% A"A#E"UARDS' ATTENDANTS TO PENTHEUS))))))))/The royal palace of Thebes.Two or three steps separate the palace from the ground.Night. Behind the curtains we hear flutes, tambourines and drums playing eastern

    (Lydian/ersian! music. The percussion is made by swords banging upon drums, aswe"ll see later.#emale shouts of ecstasy and $oyful rage, the signifiers of %ionysiac festi&al.Thunder and 5i!htnin! interrupt the music and the 2esti.e shouts'The 5i!htnin! brie2ly re.eals a tomb at 6ta!e 7i!ht and bac,- close to the palace(all' Dionysos the !od is standin! behind the tomb and is seen throu!h theli!htenin!'e has come to Earth in the !uise o2 a human'' brief silent pause before %awn slowly lights up the stage.n front of the tomb and with his bac) to the audience, stands %ionysos.The tomb is made of stones and a thin curlicue of smo)e is slowly rising from abo&e

    it.*e is carefully and re&erently placing some grape &ines upon it and around it.

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    n the surrounding ground, we will see shoots of fennel.*e is holding a tall thyrsus+-%ionysos is a young, handsome, gentle man with a boyish (if not effeminate!appearance and with long, soft, blond plaits. n his head is a garland of i&y, againfashionably and fastidiously placed, and his clothes are brightly coloured (thus

    showing he"s a foreigner and from the east!. *is beard is red.The i&y garland, would ha&e it, forms a long but soft drape that hangs plaited withinhis hair from the top of the bac) of his head to almost the ground.*e addresses the audience. ently, softly and with dignity.Dionysos% Loo)s around him, e0amining the land6o here 8 am9 Thebes98 am Dionysos- son o2 :eus' ;y mother (as 6emele and she (as admosdau!hter':eus deli.ered me 2rom my mother (ith one o2 his a(esome li!htenin! bolts'ndicates the tomb behind him'

    and there9 The smo,e still raises 2rom the ruins o2 her house- a potent si!nthat eras sa.a!e an!er to(ards my mother (ill ne.er be ?uenched'8 than, and admire old admos 2or turnin! this into a sacred monument in honour o2his dau!hter'@2 course- it (as 8 (ho shaded the tomb (ith .ines- 2ull o2 !rapes'8.e le2t behind me the !old/rich 2arms o2 5ydia and Fry!ia' 8 (ent throu!h the stony(alls o2 a,tria- and the (ild and 2reezin! lands o2 the ;edes- the sun/(ashed 2ieldso2 Persia- the (hole o2 blessed Arabia and the rest o2 Asia' A land- spread 2aralon!side the sea (ith cities 2ull o2 sublime tall to(ers- 2ull o2 ree,s and Barbariansall pleasantly min!led to!ether'And in all these lands 8 ha.e sho(n my mysteries- tau!ht my dances and establishedmysel2 as a !od'This is the 2irst ree, city 8.e .isited- the 2irst one 8.e come to introduce mysel2 andmy rites'()Firstly- 8.e stirred these Theban (omen- dressed them in 2a(n s,ins and armed

    them (ith the thyrsus and its i.y cro(n'admos dau!hters- you see- (ould not accept that my 2ather (as :eus' Theyshould ha.e ,no(n better than to beha.e li,e that to(ards my mother' They (ereaccusin! her o2 ha.in! slept (ith some mortal or other and then blamed :eus 2or mybirth' Typical admos tric,ery% protect the dau!hters honour and you protect youro(n' But the sisters ,ept spreadin! the rumour that my mother had slept (ith ahuman and that she had blamed a !od 2or her improper pre!nancy and thats (hy-they say- that od had ,illed her'6o- to these Theban (omen- 8.e deli.ered a little bit o2 madness' ;ade them lea.etheir house and rush o22 all in a ra!e to the mountains (here they no( li.e'8.e made them (ear the dress o2 my rites and ceremonies and tore the lo!ic out o2

    their minds' The (hole 2emale population o2 Thebes' Then- 8.e sent them o22 to themountains to li.e (ith admos dau!hters- my mothers sisters- amon! the (ild

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    beasts- in a (ild 2orest- beneath the (ild 2irs and roc,s- (ithout roo2 nor shelter o.ertheir heads'This city must learn one (ay or another- (hether it li,es it or not- that it cant stayuninitiated and i!norant o2 my rites9This city must learn- one (ay or another- (hether it li,es it not that my mother (as

    innocent and this city must apolo!ise to her9This city must learn- one (ay or another- (hether it li,es it not that 8 am here tore.eal to the (hole (orld that 8 am her son- 6emeles son and the son o2 :eus9*(@ld man admos has no( le2t his cro(n to his dau!hters son- Pentheus' o(thats a man (ho habitually 2i!hts (ith !ods and lea.es me out o2 all his libations andprayers' 6o- 8 shall sho( him and all his Thebans that 8 am truly a !od' A2ter that-a2ter 8.e settled e.erythin! here and !ot them all to ,no( me- 8 shall !o else(here inthe (orld- teachin! the people about my stren!th as a !od'82 the people o2 Thebes decide to ta,e arms a!ainst my Bacchants and pursue them2rom their mountain- 8ll stand at the head o2 my ;aenads and enter the battle (ith

    them'This is (hy 8.e ta,en on the !uise o2 a man'#rom both sides of the stage we hear the tambourines and ecstatic sounds ofwomen. t is that of the chorus of maenads (%ionysos" followers! and, after a shortpause they enter dancing wildly, fren1ied+2-, noisily.They are foreigners, rientals.Dionysos% (continued!Ah9 ;y darlin! !roup o2 2ollo(ers9 ere you are9 Come- come in- my darlin!s9 =ou-(ho ha.e 2ollo(ed me here- all the (ay 2rom Tmolos- 5ydias stron!hold- that landinhabited by barbarians' Come- my tra.ellin! mates- my 2riends- play your Phry!ianinstruments- your drums and tambourines- the instruments that mother 7ea and 8disco.ered'Play around here- around in! Pentheus palace and let admos city hear us' 8mo22 to .isit the other Bacchants- the Thebans- those (hom 8 made li.e in the cra!s-pea,s and .alleys o2 itheron' 8 shall oin them in their dances there'30it %ionysosThe 4horus of 5aenads plays for a few moments before one begins to spea).+*Chorus%8.e le2t the Asian land- the (holly mount o2 Tmolos and (or,ed my (ay here-8n speed and hard labour9

    8n speedAnd8n s(eet labour-ith a oyous eGhaustionChorus%8.e come to you- sin!in! ecstatic son!s 2or Dionysos- the !od (ho bello(s thunders'ho * (hos thereHho * (hos in the roadHho * (hos outside their houseH5et them all shut themsel.es inside their homes95et them all shut their mouths

    8n holy silence9

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    ,-Chorus%@- my 5ord- Dionysos9;y .oice (ill al(ays sin! your praise9Blessed is he (ho ,no(s the sacraments and sacred rites o2 the !ods

    And per2orms Dionysos cleansin! rituals hi!h on the mountains-is soul in unisonith the !ods band o2 2ollo(ers /For he li.es a li2e pure9Chorus%And blessed is he- too- (ho has 2aith in the mysteries o2 our reat ;other- CybeleAnd (ears the !arland o2 i.y-And (a.es a Bacchic sta22And bo(s to Dionysose- too- is blessed indeed9Chorus%

    Come- Bacchants9Bacchants Come95ets brin! bac, Dionysos the !od (ho bello(s thunders stron!9A !od born o2 !od9Chorus%Brin! him bac, 2rom the mountains o2 Phry!ia9Brin! him bac,- Bacchants-To the streets o2 reeceBrin! bac,Dionysos9..Chorus%A lon! (hile a!o- at the time (hen his mothers stomachas 2ull (ith him and (ith pain-:eus sent his bolt o2 burnin! li!ht at her-7elie.in! her o2 the child- o2 the pain and o2 her li2e-

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    Thebes9 =ou (ho nurtured 6emele-Adorn yoursel.es richly (ith branches o2 bryonyAnd dance (ildly (ith branches o2 2ir and oa,9111Chorus%

    Put on the dappled 2a(n s,ins on your bac, and cro(n your heads (ith so2t curls o2(hite (ool'rap holy i.y around the rebellious (and o2 our !od and hold it (ith re.erence /And (hen our !od- Dionysos- the !od (ho bello(s thunders- arri.es (ith his ecstaticband *there- hi!h upon the mountain-

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    mountain- that mountain'Ioy2ully then- li,e the 2illy 2ollo(s her mare- the maenad ,ic,s her le!s hi!h'3nter Teiresias, a blind seer, holding the hand of a boy6guide with one hand and athyrsus with the other.'lmost totally bald and with a thin long grey beard. The i&y garland around his bald

    head, precariously situated and as)ew, ma)e him a comical figure. *e is wearing afawn6s)in $ac)et.*is body is bent by his many years.1,-Teiresias%ho ,eeps the !ateHThe boy goes and )noc)s at the door.Call admos out here' admos- A!inorus son- (ho le2t the city o2 6idon and camehere to build this to(erin! city- Thebes'5et someone !o in and tell him that 8- Teiresias is loo,in! 2or him' e ,no(s (hy 8mhere and (hat (e.e a!reed on' An old man- me- (ith an e.en older man- him' ell

    li!ht up 2ennel reeds and dress in so2t deer leather' ell co.er our heads (ith!arlands o2 i.y'The boy goes through the gate to inform 7admos. *e does not come bac).8mall ause3nter 7admos, already dressed in fawn s)in and i&y garland and carrying a longthyrsus. *e is older then Teiresias and loo)s much li)e him, though we see a bitmore e&idence of $oie de &i&re about his demeanour and beha&iour. 9e need toshow this e0tra bit of $o&ial beha&iour so that we can create a sharper contrast withhis demeanour towards the end of the play.*is i&y garland is well placed and he"s often running his hand o&er it, ta)ing care thatit"s not out of place.*e greets Teiresias with enthusiasm.admos%@- my 2riend9 hat oy the sound o2 your .oice !i.es me' 8 heard it inside the palaceand thou!ht- no(- theres a (ise .oice 2rom a (ise man9ere 8 am- Teiresias- dressed the (ay the !od (ants us to dress' e must obeye.eryone o2 Dionysos (ishes- in e.ery (ay possible' e is my dau!hters son andhe pro.ed to all the mortals that he is indeed a !od 5ets sho( him our respect asmuch as (e can'e hops about eGcitedly and chec,s out his dancin! 2eet'8 ha.e no idea (here (e should dance- (here (e should place our 2oot- (here (e

    should bend our a!ed head'1./uide me- old Teiresias- me a poor old man' At least you are a (ise man' 8ll bethrashin! the earth (ith this thyrsus' hat a !reat thin! it is- eyH e.e 2or!ottenour years (ith all this happiness'Teiresias%=ou 2eel eGactly as 8 2eel- my 2riend- because 8- too- 2eel youn! and 8- too- shall ha.ea !o at this mystic dancin!'admos%ell then- shall (e ta,e a carria!e to the mountainHTeiresias%

    o9 o- no- no9 This is not ho( one sho(s re.erence to a !od9

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    admos%ell then- here (e are% 8- an old man (ill !uide you- another old man'Teiresias%othin! to (orry about' The !od (ill !uide us both there (ithout the sli!htest e22orton our part' o 2ati!ue (hatsoe.er- admos9

    10/admos% Loo)s around him with some concern.ey- TeiresiasH Are (e !oin! to be the only t(o doin! Dionysos holy danceHThey begin a &ery slow ad&ance towards e0it 8L. They stop near the curtain whenthey sense entheus coming from the other end.Teiresias%=es- admos because (e are the only ones (ho can thin, strai!ht' The rest o2themH They are all (ron!9admosCome on- old man' ell be late' old onto my hand- no('Teiresias%

    ere you are' rab my hand'admos%A mortal should ne.er treat the !ods (ith disdain'Teiresias%o point in playin! around (ith subtle (ords' All our traditions- all those thin!shanded do(n to us by our ancestors 2rom many years bac, (ill not be dislod!ed- nomatter ho( subtle the thin,in!'@- 8 can hear them say- arent you ashamed o2 your yearsH oin! dancin! at youra!e- your head (rapped in i.yH o- 8 am not ashamed' od sho(s no preudice ina!e' e (ants re.erence 2rom all> he is not interested in numbers'(1-admos% Loo)ing deep into behind the curtains 8:Teiresias- old 2riend- seein! that the suns rays dont help your eyesi!ht 8ll tell you(hat 8 see (ith mine' 8 can see Pentheus comin! to(ards the palace' Ehions son'8.e handedThebes throne to him' e loo,s ?uite disturbed' 8 (onder (hat ne(shes about to brin! us'They hide behind the tomb3nter entheus 8:. with two armed guards. *e is a young man, full of anger.*e wears a short tunic and a sword. *is hair is long but tied neatly in a pony tail*e enters the stage not ha&ing noticed the two men and addresses his guards.(1/

    Pentheus%All 8.e done is to !o a(ay 2rom Thebes 2or ust a short (hile and (hat happensH;y ears are buzzin! (ith dread2ul and bizarre disasters- hittin! my belo.ed country'8 heard that our (omen ha.e le2t their homes and !one o22 to the mountains dancin!the Bacchic dances9 6ome ne(- youn! !od9

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    mother- 8 mean A2tonoe' 8ll shut them up behind bars as (ell so that 8 can stop thisscoundrels bacchic rites'8m told that he is some youn! 2orei!n smooth tal,er- some ma!ician 2romsome(here in 5ydia- (ith blond and scented plaits- and they say also that one cansee in his (ine/coloured eyes the charms o2 Aphrodite' And this man han!s around

    all the youn! !irls and o22ers them entry to the mystic rites982 8 !et to catch this croo, any(here near this palace 8ll ma,e sure 8ll stop histhyrsus/thrashin! and his hair/(a.in! once and 2or all- by separatin! his torso 2romhis head'(*1a9 Apparently- this 2ool says that Dionysos is a true !od' e says that Dionysos(as so(n up inside :eus thi!h9 o( stupid9 The true 2act o2 the matter (as that:eus burned him- alon! (ith his mother (ith 2lamin! li!htnin!'ell- (hen some stran!er comes and !i.es you all these lies and insolence- (hat doyou doH 8snt all this stu22 (orthy o2 the han!mans ropeH*e notices Teiresias and 7admos

    a9 @- my od9 o( theres a real si!ht to behold9 8s this some sort o2 madmansapparitionH @ur !ood old prophet- Teiresias- the seer o2 the !uts o2 beasts9 There heis- dressed (ith deli!ht2ul s,ins o2 deer and- (ith him- my mothers 2ather *(hat alau!h/ o22 2or his bit o2 bacchic re.elry (ith his o(n thyrsus at the ready'o- no- no- !rand2ather- seein! you li,e this- 8 ust cant belie.e that your old a!e has2illed your head (ith (isdom' 8 cant tell ho( stron! he is here in reece butthere are t(o thin!s- youn! man that are most important to people% 8t is' !oddessDemetre +call her by (hate.er other name you (ant (ho 2eeds the 2ol, on Earthand (ho 86 EarthJ and her counterpart- Dionysos- the son o2 6emele- this !od- the!od (ho disco.ered the uice o2 the !rape and (hich he brou!ht to us mortals'(.-This li?uid holds bac, the pain o2 the tortured soul- !i.es so2t sleep to 2ol, and letsthem 2or!et their daily su22erin!' Theres truly no better medicine 2or pain or 2ati!ue'

    e is truly a !od and he is re.ered as much as the other !ods so that mortals mayenoy his o22erin!s'

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    =ou lau!h at the 2act that he (as so(n into :eus thi!hH ell- let me sho( youeGactly ho( that happened'=ou see- as soon as :eus !rabbed the ne(born Dionysos 2rom the 2ire o2 theli!htnin! bolt- he too, him to ;t @lympus and presented him to all the !ods there asanother !od' era- ho(e.er- his (i2e- (ould ha.e none o2 this and (anted him

    thro(n out o2 the ea.ens- so :eus- the !reat !od that he is- thou!ht o2 this cle.eridea to protect the child' e opened up a small poc,et in the s,y- in the ether- thatsurrounds our earth and placed him in there' This- it seems calmed eras an!erand he too- (as able to a.oid eras constant (hinin!' 8n time- the (ords- etherand thi!h (ere min!led in the minds o2 men and so the myth has been spun ho(Dionysos (as so(n in :eus thi!h'(0/;oreo.er- this !od is also a teller o2 oracles' es a prophet' =ou see- the Bacchicrites and the ecstasy (hich comes (ith it- ha.e a potent prophetic stren!th because(hen the !od ta,es o.er the body o2 his 2ollo(ers completely and utterly- (hen heenters himsel2 in their body- and therein he blossoms to his 2ull- those luc,y people

    are !i.en the abilities o2 the prophets' 8ts called Prophecy throu!h 2renzy'=et- he also possesses much o2 Ares art o2 (ar- as (ell' =ou can .isualise a (holearmy- standin! in line- ready 2or attac,- spears- shields and bo(s at the ready'6uddenly- e.en be2ore a spear has been thro(n- a panic- an incomprehensible2renzy ta,es o.er the (hole army' This 2renzy is the (or, o2 Dionysos'=oull also see him around Delphi- umpin! about its stones- o.er the t(o/pea,edmountains o2 pine- sha,in! the hu!e Bacchic branches'Dionysos is a !reat !od- lo.ed and re.ered throu!hout the (hole o2 reece9)1-But belie.e me- youn! Pentheus9 Dont e.er thin, that !reat authority o.er men- li,ethe one you hold- means !reat stren!th9 Dont be too proud o2 such a throne' orbe proud o2 a 2aulty opinion' Theres no (isdom in pride o2 such thin!s' Thin, alittle better and accept this !od on earth- participate in his rites and put the i.y!arland around your head'8ts not Dionysos (ho 2orces (omen to submit to lust' isdom is all thin!s natural' A(ise (oman (ill not abuse her chastity e.en durin! the Bacchic rites' This you ha.eto see')(-=ou ,no( ho( you enoy it (hen there are many people at these !ates andPentheus name is eGalted throu!hout ThebesH ell- 8 thin, that thats ho(Dionysos 2eels also (hen (e re.ere him'

    =ou lau!h at poor admos here- your ,ind !rand2ather but he and 8- (ith the i.y onour heads (ill !o dancin! the Bacchic dances9 =ou see our !rey hair and you thin,(e must be mad but (e shall dance9 e shall dance9 ()ic)s his heels high!'ere not !oin! to stand here and ar!ue theolo!y (ith you and use your type o2sacrile!ious (ords'Pentheus- youre incurably insane9Theres no medicine 2or that and no matter (hich medicine you ta,e- youll still bemad9Chorus%@ld man- Teiresias- your (ords certainly dont o22end Apollo' By respectin! theBello(in! Dionysos you sho( yoursel2 a (ise indi.idual'

    ))-admos%

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    Come- my child' Teiresias is ri!ht' Belie.e as (e do' Dont try and mo.e a(ay 2romour 5a(s' =our mind is a bit> 2li!hty at the moment and so- no matter (hat you putyour mind to- you comprehend nothin!' E.en i2 by your calculation- Dionysos is no!od so (hatH 8t (ould be best 2or you to lie' 5ie so that 6emele belie.es that she!a.e birth to a !od' That (ay- e.en (e and our (hole race- (ould recei.e honours'

    =ou sa( A,taions !ruesome death' Torn to shreds by 2lesh/eatin! hounds- the .eryones he (as nurturin!' Thats the Fate that .isited him (hen he boasted that he (asa better hunter than Artemis' Dont let the same happen to you' Come- let me ma,eyou an i.y cro(n and pay your respects to the !od as (e do')*)Pentheus%For!et it9 o- dont come near me9 @22 you !o9 o on- o22 to your Bacchic rites you!o9 Dont try and corrupt me (ith your idiocy' 8ll ha.e this teacher o2 yours- thisteacher o2 madness and 2renzy- arrested'To his attendants@ne o2 you !o ?uic,ly to this !ods throne- (here he does all his prophesyin! and

    (ith iron pic,s toss e.erythin! upside/do(n- brea, do(n (alls- thro( all the !arlandsto the 2our (inds' Toss them all to the storms'This ou!ht to hurt him a bit' And let some others search the city 2or this e22eminatestran!er- this idiot (ho brou!ht this ne( sic,ness to our (omen and has pollutedtheir bed' And (hen you catch him- tie him up and brin! him here to me' Then hellsee a merciless trial' ell see a bitter celebration o2 his reli!ion here in Thebes'30it guards hurriedly 8L.30it entheus angrily into the palace, centre gate.)/.Teiresias%8rrational- impetuous youth9 Fire in the head9 e cant see (here his (ords areleadin! him' @ut o2 his (its one moment- thorou!hly insane the neGt9Come- admos- come- my old 2riend' 5ets !o' At least (e can pray to the !od 2orhim' es a madman that !randson o2 yours and 8 (ouldnt be at all surprised i2 hebrou!ht some ne( disaster to Thebes'7i!ht- no( you 2ollo( me (ith your thyrsus and 8ll try and ,eep my body strai!ht'=ou do the same (ith yours' 8td be a !reat shame 2or t(o old men to tumble o.er'Come on- (e ha.e to hurry' Dionysos- :eus son is (aitin!'Do you thin, ;ister ;ourn2ul in there (indicating entheus!(ill brin! into your palacesomethin! to really mourn about- admosH 8m not !i.in! you a prophesy no(-thou!h 8 am a seerJ 8m ust tal,in!% hollo( (ords 2rom a hollo(/headed old man'

    30it both),-Chorus%;ost re.ered o2 all !ods- holy !oddess9oly !oddess (ho !ently ho.ers o.er earth (ith her !olden (in!s9Do you see (hat Pentheus is up toHChorus%Can you 2eel the unholy insult he sent to our Dionysos- 6emeles son- the !od (hos2irst amon! the blessed !ods- the !ods (hose (reaths are most brilliant- the !ods o2oyHThis our !ods domain% 7ites (ith dancin!- rites that unite our lau!hter (ith the

    sounds o2 the 2lute- rites that allo( us to 2or!et our e.eryday cares'

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    Chorus%Ah9 And thats (hen the shiny !rape * (hen (ere ha.in! our supper amon! the!ods * thats (hen the shiny !rape- 8 say- lets the !arlanded- hearty men beo.erta,en by sleep'Chorus%

    The 2ol, (hose mouths are unreined- unla(2ul and un(ise come to a bad end' Calmli2e and circumspection are the unassailable 2oundations o2 a !ood home becausethe inhabitants o2 the hea.ens loo, do(n and inspect our (or, 2rom abo.e'Chorus%The (ise are not (ise i2 they dont consider a humans lot'5i2e is short'e (ho constantly pursues !reat achie.ements in this li2e- (ont ha.e time to enoythose he already has achie.ed'*--Chorus%6o 2ar as 8 can tell- these are the doin!s o2 madmen and e.il minds'

    o( 8d lo.e to be in Cyprus- Aphrodites island (here sublime lo.e is spread e.enlyamon! the 2ol,' Ta,e me to Pa2os- Dionysos- Bello(in! !od- ta,e me to Pa2os-(here one hundred 2ountains ra!e in the barbarous torrent o2 a ri.er- thou!h it ne.errainsJ and to Pieria (here the beauti2ully cro(ned seat o2 the ;uses is and there.ered chambers o2 @lympus9 uide me there- !od- leader o2 the Bacchants'There the races- there the Passion- there the Bacchants usually hold theircelebrations'Dionysos- :eus son enoys the (earin! o2 2lo(ers'*(-Chorus%e lo.esPeace- the !oddess (ho !i.es oy and 2eeds children' e !a.e e?ually torich and poor the happiness o2 his (ine- the li?uid that sends a(ay all sadness' edespises those (ho hate this oy- those (ho do not enoy their li.es sittin! (ith2riends by the li!ht o2 the ni!ht s,y'Chorus%isdomH 8t is (ise 2or men to distance themsel.es 2rom illo!ical- 2ar 2etchedemotions and 2ruitless thou!hts' i.e me the thou!hts and deeds o2 the common2ol,' o( those- 8ll accept 2ar easier'3nter the guards who entheus has sent earlier, with %ionysos in chains. %ionysosis carrying his thyrsus. ne of the guards wal)s o&er to the palace and bangs at thegate with his spear.

    The gate opens and entheus enters.*))uard 1%Pentheus- my 5ord- here (e are (ith the prey you.e as,ed us to hunt 2or' e.e satand (e.e (aited and- true enou!h- (e.e cau!ht him' @ur (atch (as not (asted'o( this> beast (as ?uite tame (ith me- my 5ord ' e.er shoo, his le!s oranythin!- tryin! to escape- li,e- but !a.e his hands to me (ithout the sli!htesthesitation' e didnt become pale or lose the deep blush o2 his chee,s' e ust lethimsel2 be ta,en easily- lau!hed e.en and (ondered (here (ed be ta,in! him'To(ards me- in any case- this man (as a proper !entleman and 8 2elt a bit ashamedabout tyin! him up- see- so 8 said to him- 6tran!er- 8 said- 8 aint doin this out o2 my

    o(n accord- its Kcause o2 Pentheus orders' e sent us to do it- 8 said'

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    uard #%And as 2or all them (omen- me 5ord- them that 2ollo( that !od- my 5ord- theBacchants- those (hom you !rabbed and loc,ed up (ith chains and all in all thecitys buildin!s- (ell- sir- theyre all loose- sir' 7unnin! about all o.er thecountryside- sir- all ready 2or their or!iasums sir- and theyre all callin! out 2or their

    Bello(in! od- Dionysos' All their chains 2ell apart all by themsel.es- lettin! theirle!s 2ree' 6o did all the padloc,s o2 the !ates' They.e all !one and openedthemsel.es ri!ht up (ithout e.en one human hand touchin! them9 This man herehas a !reat many tric,s up his snea,y slee.es'8ts your call no(- my 5ord'*/1Pentheus%;o.e a(ay 2rom him' es no bother (hile hes chained li,e that' es not that 2astthat hell escape me'*e e0amines %ionysos thoroughly.mmm' Physically- youre not unattracti.e- stran!er' Iust li,e the (omen 2or (hom

    you came here- in Thebes' ice- lon! plaits- hair that hasnt 2elt hard (or,- and- 2or a!reater seGual e22ect- its spilled all around your beard' =our s,in is lo.ely and (hitebecause you ta,e !ood care o2 it- 8 see' =ou dont eGpose it to the suns rays andyou stay in the shade all day- huntin! Aphrodites beauty'But 2irst- tell me- (hat is your raceH here are you 2romH*+1Dionysos%Thats an easy ?uestion to ans(er' =ou.e heard o2 Tmolos o2 the many bloomsHPentheus%=es- 8.e heard o2 Tmolos' Thats the place that surrounds 6ardis'Dionysos%Thats (here 8m 2rom' 5ydia is my home'Pentheus%here did you !et all these mysteries 2romHDionysos%Dionysos- :eus son- initiated me into them'Pentheus%8s there a :eus in 5ydia (ho !i.es birth to ne( !odsHDionysos%o- ust the one here- (ho slept in marria!e (ith 6emelePentheus%

    Did he initiate you in dar,ness or in li!htHDionysos%Face/to/2ace' 8n the li!ht o2 day'*,-Pentheus%hat are these mysteriesH hat is your .ie( o2 themHDionysos%They are secret to the uninitiated mortals'Pentheus%8s there some bene2it 2or those (ho participate in these mysteries o2 yoursHDionysos%

    8t is not ri!ht 2or you to ,no( this but it (ould be !ood 2or you to see those mysteries'

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    Pentheus%=oure ma,in! them sound !reat so that 8 can be persuaded to !o on listenin! to you'Dionysos%

    e (ho practices disrespect to the !ods earns their

    (rath'Pentheus%Tell me clearly (hat your !od loo,s li,e *i2 you e.er sa( him9Dionysos%e loo,ed as he pleased' That (as not somethin! (hich 8 could determine'Pentheus%All the (ords that came out o2 your mouth so 2ar meant nothin! to me'*.-Dionysos%8t is not (ise 2or someone to say anythin! (ise to the i!norant'Pentheus%

    =ou came here- to Thebes- to introduce this !od o2 yours 2irstHDionysos%The rest o2 the (orld dances to these dances'Pentheus%Thats (hy (hen it comes to (isdom- theyre 2ar (orse than the ree,s'Dionysos%8n that too- they are betterJ its ust that their la(s are di22erent'Pentheus%These> holy or!ies o2 yours> do you per2orm them durin! the day or in the ni!htHDionysos%;ost o2 them durin! the ni!ht' Dar,ness adds a certain modesty'Pentheus%Thats ?uite a dubious thin! 2or the (omen> and rather lecherous- 8d say'Dionysos%6hame- o2 course can be seen durin! the day- too- i2 it eGists and i2 one (ere to loo,2or it'Pentheus%e must ta,e you to court 2or your e.il philosophies'*0-Dionysos%And you- too- 2or your i!norance and your disrespect 2or the !od'

    Pentheus%o( bold this Bacchic initiate is9 is ton!ue is not at all trained in speech'Dionysos%6ho( me- then (hat terrible 2ate you ha.e in store 2or me' hat am 8 about tosu22erHPentheus%First- 8ll chop o22 this lon! plait o2 yours'Dionysos%The plait is sacred' 8 nurture it 2or the !od'Pentheus%Then your Thyrsus' i.e it to me9

    Dionysos%=ou come and ta,e it a(ay 2rom me yoursel2' 8m holdin! it 2or Dionysos'

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    Pentheus%And then (ell be !uardin! your body in ail day and ni!ht'Dionysos%od himsel2 (ill 2ree me (hen 8 as, him'Pentheus%

    @2 course- youll be prayin! to him only (hen youre amon! all those (omen2ollo(ers o2 yours- all those Bacchants' =oud all be (or,in! to!ether to accomplishyour escape'/--Dionysos%od is present e.en no(- neGt to me and he sees all that 8m !oin! throu!h'Pentheus%here is heH 8 cant see him' ot (ith my eyes'Dionysos%es ri!ht beside me but you couldnt possibly see him because you aredisrespect2ul o2 him'

    Pentheus% To his guardsuards- arrest this stran!er9 e moc,s me as (ell as Thebes9Dionysos%5et me tell you calmly% you dont ,no( (hat youre doin! /dont tie me9Pentheus%But- you see- 8 must- because 8 ha.e the !reater po(er o2 us t(o'Dionysos%=ou dont e.en ,no( that youre ali.e- nor (hat it is youre doin!- Pentheus- let alone(ho you are9Pentheus%ho meH 8 am Pentheus- A!a.es and Ehions son'Dionysos%Pentheus9 =our name means !rie2' ery (ell ?uali2ied to brin! it upon yoursel29 Iustas your name su!!ests'Pentheus%@22 you !o9 uards- loc, him up in the stables- near the horses stalls' 5et him enoythe dar,ness in there' Dance in there all you li,e' As 2or all those (omen you.ebrou!ht (ith you- your partners in crime- either (ell sell them all or 8ll be puttin! anend to their drum/beatin! by holdin! them here- to be my prisoners and to (or, myloomsDionysos%

    8m !oin!J e.en thou!h 8 cannot be 2orced- nor do 8 ha.e to su22er any pain' For althese uncalled 2or insults and 2or sayin! he does not eGist- Dionysos himsel2 (illeGtract his o(n punishment' By bein! disrespect2ul to us- you in.o,e his an!er'30it %ionysos, guards and entheus/10Chorus%racious .ir!in- Dir,e- Aheloos dau!hter- you (ho once recei.ed into your clear(aters :eus child (hen the !reat !od snatched it 2rom the immortal 2ire and so(n itinto his thi!h' And (hen the ri!ht time came :eus shouted- to you- Come- child9Come- you (ho has ,noc,ed at the door o2 birth t(ice- come into my deep- male(omb9 ere 8ll present you to the (orld and say that- here in Thebes theyll call you-

    Dionysos9

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    /)-Chorus%=et you- blessed Dir,e- no( send a(ay the !arlanded band o2 dancers (hich 8.ebrou!ht 2or you' hyH hy do you 2i!ht me stillH hy e.ade meH =our turn (illcome thou!h (hen youll thin, about Dionysos' 8 s(ear by the oy o2 the 2ull/!rape

    (ine that the time (ill come (hen youll thin, most respect2ully o2 this bello(in! !od'Chorus%@ (hat an!er- (hat an!er the earthly race and Pentheus has sho(n to(ards us9 e(as the child o2 a serpent (hich Ehion has so(n into the soil' The dra!on (ho borea human 2orm- a murderous !iant- enemy to the !ods'Chorus%This here Pentheus (ill send us to the !allo(s- us Dionysos 2ollo(ers and Dionysoshimsel2- our leader- he (ants to loc, him in some hidden room- in some dar, ail'Chorus%Can you see all this- DionysosH Can you see ho( they torture your prophetsHCome to us' Come- sha,e your !olden thyrsus hi!h to(ards @lympus and stop the

    rain o2 insult sent by this murderer'Chorus%8 (onder (here you are- Dionysos' Are you at the pea,s o2 yssa (here the (ildanimals !raze- (ith your thyrsus leadin! your trusty bandsH @r are you at the t(inory,ian pea,sH/+-Chorus%6oon youll come to the bushy ca.erns o2 @lympus- (here once @rpheus (ith hislyre used to !ather the ;uses and the (ild animals beneath the trees'Chorus%@- blessed !reens o2 Pieria- Dionysos adores you and hell come to dance leadin!his s(i2t/2ooted ;aenads' Theyll pass the rushin! (aters o2 the ri.er AGios and thentheyll pass the 2ather o2 all ri.ers- the ri.er 5ydias- that (ith his spar,lin! (aters-!i.es the oy o2 com2ort in li.in! to all the mortals and ?uenches the thirst o2 the(onder2ul horses and o2 their land'#rom within the palace we hear the crashing and smashing of a building and the&oice of %ionysos calling his followers.Dionysos%8o9 8o9 ear my .oice9 ear my .oice- my 2ollo(ers9 Bacchants9 Bacchants9Chorus%hos thereH hos thereH 8 heard the .oice o2 Dionysos' here did he call me

    2romH/.-Dionysos%8o9 8o9 8 call a!ain9 8t is 8- the son o2 :eus and 6emele'Chorus%8o9 8o9 ;y 5ord9 ;y 5ord9 Come to us- Dionysos- my 5ord9Dionysos%;o.e Earth- mo.e9 6ha,e- our belo.ed Earth95ore collapsing of the buildingChorus%Luic,9 Pentheus palace is bein! turned into ruins'

    Dionysos is in those ruins9 Pray 2or him9Ahhhh9 8m prayin! 2or Dionysos9

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    5oo,- the stone pillars and those lo!s9 6ee ho( they rolled out o2 their position9Dionysos is callin! out 2rom in there some(here- under the palaces roo2'Dionysos%5i!htnin! stri,e9 5i!ht up your burnin! torches9 Put Pentheus chambers to thetorch9

    The light on 8emele"s tomb shoots up for a second.Chorus%Ah9 Did you see the 2lame on 6emeles holy tombH @nce the 2lame o2 li!htnin!eGtin!uished it (ith :eus thunder'Thro( your sha,en bodies to the !round- maenads9 Thro( them9The chorus falls around the tomb in supplication.'fter a short pause;The palace door opens and %ionysos enters, barely touched by the disaster inside.Dionysos%;y dear 5ydians- are you so 2ri!htened that you 2ell prostrate to the !roundH 5oo,sli,e you realised that Dionysos has destroyed Pentheus house' Come on- !et up

    no( and sho( some coura!e' 6hed a(ay your bodys terror'Chorus%o( bri!ht is the li!ht o2 our oy9o( happy (e are to see you9e despair no lon!er9Chorus%e are no lon!er unprotected9+1-Dionysos%ere you saddened (hen they too, me and thre( me in Pentheus dar, ails- mydearsHChorus%o( could (e not be sadH ho (ould be our protector i2 you 2ell into some terriblemis2ortuneH But ho( did you mana!e to 2ree yoursel2 2rom the !rips o2 thatirre.erent manHDionysos%Easily' 8 2reed mysel2 (ith ease'Chorus%But didnt he ha.e your hands tied up (ith thic, ,notted ropesHDionysos%And thats eGactly (here 8 sho(ed him ho( 2oolish he is' is mind (as 2ull o2 hope

    instead o2 reality and so- in his delusion- he thou!ht that he had tied me up but- the2ool- he had neither touched me nor hurt me in the sli!htest'e too, me to the stall o2 a bull and instead o2 tyin! the ropes around my hands hetied them around the bulls ,nees and hoo.es- all the (hile 2umin! (ith ra!e- hisbody co.ered in s(eat and bitin! at his lips' 8 (atched him 2rom nearby in uttercom2ort'8t (as then that Dionysos came and lit the 2lame on my mothers tomb' As soon ashe sa( that he thou!ht that the palace (as burnin! and so he (as umpin! allaround the place- shoutin! 2or someone to brin! Aheloos in there' All the sla.es !otdo(n to (or, but * all in .ain98 le2t then and he- too- !a.e up on tryin! to sa.e the palace- 2ound his blac, s(ord

    and rushed out into all the rooms'+)-

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    But 8 thin, that Dionysos created an apparition in the court and Pentheus char!ed atit- 2i!htin! it as i2 he (as 2i!htin! me' ;ore than that- Dionysos- seein! my a(2ul2etters- !a.e Pentheus somethin! else to thin, about% e shoo, the palace 2rom the2oundations up- smashed e.erythin!9 6tupid boy- he (as so eGhausted no(- hedropped his s(ord and !a.e up' 8rrational man9 A mortal tryin! to 2i!ht it out (ith a

    !od9 6o- 8 ?uietly !ot out o2 the palace- 2or!ot about the 2ool and- here 8 am- amon!you98ounds of hea&y footsteps from within.Ah9 8 thin, 8 can hear the hea.y 2ootsteps o2 army boots' 8m sure he is comin! outhere' 8 (onder (hat hell say about all this' This (ill be an easy ob 2or me' 5et himbe as 2urious as he (ants' 8 shall meet him calmly because that is ho( (ise people(or,- calmly'+*-3nter entheus with his guards.*e is furiously wa&ing his blac) swordPentheus%

    hat terrible thin!s 8.e su22ered9 The 2orei!ner has escaped me e.en thou!h notlon! a!o he (as a ti!htly secured prisoner'A9 There he is9 Theres that man9hat is all thisH o( did you escape and came out hereHDionysos%old it9 Calm do(n9Pentheus%o( did you mana!e to escape the ropesH o( did you !et outHDionysos%Did 8 not tell you that someone (ould untie meH @r had you not heard meH+/-Pentheus%hoH =oure al(ays comin! out (ith some ne( eGcuse'Dionysos%e (ho nurtures the .ine 2or the mortals9Pentheus%And (ho is thatH 6ome .ine !od (ho !i.es up on e.ery la( o2 order amon!st themortalsHDionysos%=ou moc, those thin!s that Dionysos does 2or the !ood o2 the people'Pentheus% To his guards

    uards- !i.e e.eryone my orders to surround the palace9The guards run off.Dionysos%hatH Do you thin, that (alls can hinder !odsHPentheus%@- youre a (ise man- all ri!ht9 ise only about the thin!s that suit you9Dionysos%Precisely' 8 am (ise about all the thin!s that matter in the (orld' But do listen to the(ords o2 him (ho is comin! do(n 2rom the mountains' e has somethin! toannounce to you'Dont (orry- (ell stay here (ith you' e (ont be escapin!'

    3nter *erald (*e is a herdsman and holds a rough, wooden shepherd"s croo)!

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    ++-erald%5ord Pentheus- 8 le2t ;ount itheron /the place (hich is 2ore.er spar,lin! (ith theconstant 2all o2 sno(2la,es/ to come to you- ruler o2 our Thebes'Pentheus% (mpatiently!

    =es- yes- you came- and (hat ne( disaster has your comin! brou!ht to usHerald%5ord- 8 sa( the 2renzied Bacchants up on the mountain- rushin! out o2 their house asi2 stun! hard by a !ad 2ly' They (ere rushin! (ildly up to(ards the mountain-sho(in! their (hite thi!hs as they did' 6eein! all this 8 immediately came to tell youabout itJ but 8 sa( them doin! a(2ul thin!s in the city- too- 5ord' 6hould 8 tell you2reely (hat 8 sa(- my 5ord or should 8 (atch my (ordsH 8 (ouldnt (ant to cop the(ron! end o2 your (rath- my 5ord because 8 ,no( you can be a bit sharp (ith it andyou do ha.e the royal po(er'Pentheus%6pea,9 =oure eGcused o2 e.erythin! youre about to say' e ha.e no ri!ht to be

    an!ry at the ust' 8n any case the more a(2ul thin!s you can tell us about theBacchants- the more 8d be able condemn their instructor'+,,erald%Iust a short (hile a!o- (hen the suns rays (ere brea,in! out and !ettin! ready to(arm the earth- 8 too, my herd o2 youn! cattle to !raze o.er to the mountain side'Iust then- 8 sa( three !roups o2 dancin! (omen' The leader o2 the 2irst (as A2tinoe-then your mother- A!a.e- o2 the second and o2 the third !roup (as 8no'Their bodies loo,ed relaGed- asleep and some (ere rested (ith their bac,s a!ainstthe pine trees- others rested on 2ir lea.es- their heads bo(ed modestly to(ards the!round- to all intents and purposes loo,in! as i2 they (ere one (ith atureJ not the(ay you said- my 5ord- drun, (ith (ine and (ith the s(eet sounds o2 2lutes- chasin!lust in the dar, solitude o2 the ni!ht'hen my horned herd neared them and made their usual bello(in! noises- yourmother (o,e up- umped into the centre o2 the other Bacchants and yelled loudly'The others- too- thre( the s(eet sleep 2rom their eyes and stood up strai!ht9 hata si!ht 2or sore eyes- my 5ord9 ery pleasant indeed9 =oun! .ir!ins- older (omen-youn! (omen- married or unmarried9First they let their hair 2all to their shoulders- 2iGed all the clasps and pins o2 their2a(n s,in dresses that ha.e become loose and then tied around their (aist sna,es(hose heads came up and lic,ed their beauti2ul chee,s'

    @thers- (ho had babies bac, home and their breasts (ere burstin! (ith mil, held!ently in their arms youn! deer or youn! (ild (ol.es (hich they suc,led (ith theiro(n (hite mil,',--@thers (ere ma,in! !arlands o2 i.y- 2ir branches and bryony' @ne o2 them hit a roc,(ith her thyrsus and the roc, became a sprin! o2 !ushin! clear (ater' Another di!sher reed into the !round and ri!ht on that spot the !od opens up a sprin! 2rom (here(ine rushes out' Those (ho (anted a drin, o2 mil,- all they had to do is scratch the!round (ith their 2in!ernails and out it (ould come- all bubbly and (hite' 6(eethoney dripped 2rom the i.y around their thyrsus'6o- my 5ord- i2 you (ere there ust at that .ery minute and sa( all them thin!s- youd

    be praisin! the !od (ho you no( condemn'ell- (e herdsmen !athered to!ether and be!an to ar!ue about (hat them (omen

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    (ere doin!' 6ome o2 that stu22 (as damned a(esome- horrible9,(-Then one o2 us- a tra.eller 2rom the city and !ood (ith his (ords- says to the rest o2us- ey- you 2ol, (ho li.e alon! the !entle mountain slopes- (ould you li,e us to!rab A!a.e- Pentheus mother- out o2 all this mystic Bacchic stu22 and ta,e her to the

    in!H ell be .ery pleased (ith us'e all thou!ht it (as a !ood idea- so (e hid behind shrubs- ready 2or the ambush'But- 8 can tell you- 5ord- (e (as also 2earin! 2or our li.es' The (omen- thou!h-suddenly be!an to sha,e their thyrsus as i2 they (ere enterin! into a bacchicceremony and- at the same time- all o2 them (ith one .oice- be!an to cry out 2or:eus son- Dionysos'E.erythin! around them oined in the ceremony- the mountain- the beasts- e.erythin!s(ayed in its spot'A!a.e (as also doin! li,e the others and she (as headin! in my direction'6uddenly- 8 leapt out o2 my hidin! place and umped at her- hopin! to catch her',)-

    But ust then she shouted- ey- my speedy bitches- there are some men here (hoare huntin! us' They (ant our submission' Come- run (ith me' Arm yoursel.es (ithyour thyrsus and come (ith me9 5ets !et theme ust mana!ed to run a(ay and escape the slau!hter but they thre( themsel.es-(ith no spear nor s(ord- at the cal.es that (ere ?uietly !razin! nearby' @ne o2those (omen tore a poor- tiny cal2 a(ay 2rom its mothers udder and others rippedcal.es to bloody pieces (ith their bare hands and then they be!an eatin! them ra(';y 5ord- you could see bits o2 2lesh stre(n all around the place' hole sides o2animals- le!s- other chun,s o2 animal 2lesh han!in! 2rom the 2ir trees- drippin!blood' u!e bulls- my 5ord (hich only a 2e( minutes earlier stood tall and proud-the sort that i2 one !ot them an!ry theyd tear e.erythin! apart (ith their massi.ehorns- (ell- no( they dropped their bodies to the !round and strai!hta(ay countless!irls dra!!ed them about (ith their bare hands and> and by the time you blin,edyour royal eye- my 5ord- theyd ha.e the s,in torn o22 those massi.e carcasses o2them bulls'And then they (ent 2lyin! about li,e the (ild birds that ruin the proud (heat stal,s o2Thebes- the ones that 2ly lo( neGt to the rushin! (aters o2 Asopos ri.er' Then o22them (omen rushed to the .illa!es o2 Erythres- near =sies- at the 2oot o2 ;ountitheron and ust li,e an in.adin! army they turned e.erythin! upside do(n- rippin!children out o2 their houses and ta,in! all sorts o2 !oods 2rom there- (hich they ustthre( carelessly o.er their shoulder (ithout tyin! anythin! to!etherJ still nothin! 2ell

    to the dar, soil- not e.en bronze or iron- my 5ord9And- o- my 5ord Pentheus- around their hair there (as this brilliant 2ire that had noe22ect on them' Didnt burn them one bit'Then all the men came out 2umin! (ith an!er and 2ully armed- (antin! to brin! theseBacchants into submission- but then- my 5ord- i2 only you could ha.e seen this mosta(esome thin!9 ;ost terrible thin! to see',+-@ur sharp spears and arro(s dre( no blood 2rom them yet they thre( their thyrsusat us and (ound us so (e ?uic,ly turned and ran o22' o( 8m certain- my 5ord thatthat lot had some !od helpin! them'Then they (ent bac, to the pea, o2 the mountain (here their !od produced sprin!s

    o2 clear (ater 2or them 2rom the earth' 6na,es rose up to their chee,s and (ith theirton!ues (ashed a(ay the blood until their s,in once a!ain became bri!ht (hite'

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    ,,-;y 5ord- youd better let this !od- (hoe.er he is come into the city because he hasmany other !reat po(ers' They also say /and 8 a!ree (ith this mesel2/ that hes the!od (ho brou!ht the (ine to the mortals' reat stu22 that' 8t stops all sadness' Truthis- my 5ord- (hen the (ine is missin! so does lo.e and then> (ell- theres nothin!

    s(eet le2t 2or us mortals then'Chorus%8m reluctant to utter my (ords openly to the ,in! but they must be uttered' Dionysosis lesser to no od'30it *erald3nter guards running and puffed out, returning from the first command.Pentheus%This stran!er is so close that the 2ire o2 these outra!eous Bacchants is touchin! us'8t is a !reat shame 2or all the ree,s' There is no time to (aste'To his guards;en- run ?uic,ly to the Ele,tran !ates' Call to!ether all the shieldsmen- all the riders

    o2 our 2ast horses- all the catapult dri.ers and all the sharp arro( shooters' Tell them(e must prepare 2or an attac, a!ainst the Bacchants' This matter must end' Fancysu22erin! all this in the hands o2 mere (omen9uards run off again.Dionysos%;y (ords ha.e con.inced you o2 nothin!- Pentheus' 6till- e.en thou!h you.etreated me badly- 8 as, you to calm do(n' =ou mustnt raise arms a!ainst the !od'Dionysos (ill not ta,e ,indly to you sendin! his Bacchants a(ay 2rom the mountains(here they hold their rites',0(Pentheus%8m not here to recei.e your ad.ice' =ou.e escaped the 2etters- isnt that enou!hH@r should 8 repeat the punishmentHDionysos%82 8 (ere you 8d do (hat all 2ol, do to !ods% o22er a sacri2ice- instead o2 !ettin! an!ry'8ts li,e ,ic,in! at thorns'Pentheus%a9 For him- 8ll sacri2ice a lot o2 (omen' That (ill teach them- disturbin! all the.alleys o2 itheron'Dionysos%=oull all be chased a(ayJ and (hat a shame2ul si!ht that (ould be9 All these bri!ht

    bronze shields turned to 2li!ht by the thyrsuses o2 the Bacchants9.--Pentheus%o( on earth ha.e 8 !ot miGed up (ith this stran!erH hether tied up or loose he(ont shut up9Dionysos%Theres still time- Pentheus9 Theres still time 2or you to ma,e thin!s ri!ht a!ain'Pentheus%o(H By becomin! a sla.e to my (omen sla.esHDionysos%8ll brin! all the (omen here 2or you> usin! no (eapons at all'

    Pentheus%@- sure9 hat a nice little trap that (ould be 2or me- eyH ery cle.er9

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    Dionysos%hat (ould be the point o2 such a trapH To sa.e you (ith my cle.ernessHPentheus%=ou.e had all this arran!ed (ith them earlier so that you can con.ert the (hole cityinto belie.in! in your !od'

    3nter the guards again< puffingDionysos%=es9 =oure ?uite ri!ht- Pentheus9 =oure ?uite ri!ht9 8.e discussed it (ith Dionysos'=oure absolutely ri!ht' Thats (hat happened'Pentheus% To the guardsBrin! my (eapons out here * and you (%ionysos!shut your mouth9uards rush off again, this time into the palace..1-Dionysos% *e has $ust thought of somethingold on9 Pentheus- (ould you li,e to see them yoursel2- up on the mountains- all o2those> (omen to!etherH

    Pentheus% 3nthusiastically6ure' @2 course- o2 course9 8d !i.e an a(2ul lot o2 !old 2or the pri.ile!e'Dionysos%@h- yesH hy so ea!erHPentheus%8 (ant to see these poor- (retched (omen drun,'Dionysos%But these thin!s (ould be hard 2or your eye' hat sort o2 pleasure (ould you !ain2rom itHPentheus%Absolute9 8d be sittin! ?uietly beneath the 2ir trees>Dionysos%A- but e.en i2 you !o there ?uietly- theyll still ,no( youre there'Pentheus%mm' =oure ri!ht' Then 8ll !o ?uite openly'Dionysos%All ri!ht then- lets !o> ill you really try to do this eGerciseH.(-Pentheus%et me there- ?uic,ly' 8d hate to lose any more time because o2 you'Dionysos%

    =oull ha.e to chan!e your clothes 2irst- Pentheus' =ou need to (ear 2ine linen'Pentheus%hats all thisH =ou (ant to dress me up as a (omanHDionysos%Because i2 you sho( yoursel2 there as a man- theyll ,ill you'Pentheus%=oure ri!ht a!ain' 8 can see youre an old hand at this sort o2 tric,ery'Dionysos%The !od Dionysos tau!ht us all this'Pentheus%ell- then- my (ise counsellor- ho( do (e do all thisH

    Dionysos%5ets !o into the palace and 8ll dress you up'

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    Pentheus%Dress me up (ith (hatH omens clothesHDionysos%Dont you (ant to (atch the ;aenads thenH.)-

    Pentheus%ell> tell me e.erythin! youre !oin! to do to me'Dionysos%8ll let your hair 2all all o.er your bac,'Pentheus%All ri!ht' ThenHDionysos%Then 8ll dress you up (ith lon! robes- ri!ht do(n to your 2eet and on your head youll(ear a ribbon'Pentheus%And a2ter all thisH

    Dionysos%=oull carry a thyrsus in one hand and youll (ear a dappled 2a(n s,in around yourbody'Pentheus%o- no- no9 8 ust cant (ear (omens clothes' 8 ust cant do it9Dionysos%ell then- i2 you end up in a 2i!ht (ith the Bacchants itll be your blood on the!round- not mine9Pentheus% Thin)s for a minute, then=es9 7i!ht9 hen (e !et there (e must 2irst spy on them'Dionysos%8ts 2ar (iser to hunt the dan!erous (ithout puttin! yoursel2 in dan!er'Pentheus%o( (ill 8 be able to (al, throu!h the street (ithout bein! seen by all theadmeiansH.*-Dionysos%ell ta,e the deserted roads' Dont (orry- 8ll !uide you'Pentheus%e must do (hats necessary so that the Bacchants dont !et a (hi22 o2 all o2 this'8m !oin! inside to thin, about it all'

    The guards come out of the palace bearing weapons for the )ing.Dionysos%6ure' o- 8m ready to help you (ith e.erythin!'Pentheus%8m !oin! and 8ll either ta,e up my (eapons or 8ll ta,e up your ad.ice'uards and entheus e0it into the palace, guards despondent.Dionysos%omen- (e ha.e trapped our man9 e (ill !o to the Bacchants and- (ith his death-ustice (ill be achie.ed' Dionysos- it is up to you no( to !et re.en!e' =ou are not.ery 2ar' First o2 all- ta,e a(ay his mind'./-

    i.e him a sli!ht dose o2 madness- enou!h 2or him to (ear (omens clothesJother(ise- i2 his mind is clear he (ont (ear them' Then 8.e !ot to ma,e a 2ool o2

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    him- paradin! him throu!h Thebes- dressed as a (oman' That (ill teach him toma,e those dread2ul threats o2 his'8m o22 no(- to dress him up in his 2uneral clothes' The clothes (ith (hich he (ill bemeetin! ades- once his mother slau!hters him (ith her bare hands' @nly then (illhe learn that the son o2 :eus- Dionysos- is a !od o2 peace 2or the !ood 2ol, but he is

    also a 2earsome !od (ho those (ho dont respect him'.+(Chorus%8 (ish98 (ish that one day 8d be able to ta,e part in the Bacchic dances- those all ni!htdances o2 oy98 (ish that one day 8d be able to see my (hite 2eet ,ic, hi!h to the rhythm o2 thosedances9Chorus%And8 (ish that one day 8 could rush (ith my 2a(n s,in throu!h the cool breeze li,e a

    2a(n does- li,e a 2a(n that (hile playin! in the so2t !rass is chased by a hunter andumps o.er his cle.er traps and 2ences (hile the hunter blo(s his (histle to ?uic,enthe pace o2 his hounds'Chorus%Pantin! hard no(- 8 see the little deer turnin! to(ards the ri.er beds and .alleys-s(i2t as the hi!h (ind- happy to ha.e escaped the men and happy to be amon! thelush !ro(th o2 the 2orest'Chorus%hat better- (hat (iser !i2t a !od could !i.e to men than to hold their hand hi!habo.e their head as a si!n o2 .ictory o.er their enemyH..-Chorus%8 al(ays admire the !ood'Chorus%ods ustice mi!ht be late arri.in! but it does arri.e and it does punish those (ho-because o2 their stupidity and madness- dont bo( their heads to the !ods'Chorus%The !ods (ait' They (ait and hide in many (ays (ithin Times hu!e steps and (ithinthose steps they hunt the irre.erent man'Chorus%o man can be more po(er2ul than ods la(s' ;an must study them (ell and

    ,no( them 2ully'Chorus%8t is a (aste o2 time to search 2or the ans(er o2 the ?uestion (hat is !od- since thatans(er has been established a lon! time a!o' od (as there ust as ature (as-2rom the be!innin!'Chorus%hat is (isdomH hat is !ood ad.iceHhat is !oodHhat is more (onder2ul than a !od li2tin! your hand hi!h as a si!n o2 .ictory o.eryour enemyH8 lo.e the beauti2ul' Al(ays9

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    Chorus%appy is the man (ho has escaped the storms o2 li2es an!ry seas and 2ound aharbourJ and happy is the man (ho ha.e endured those storms'Chorus%;en are in2inite in number and their hopes ha.e no end and some o2 these hopes

    brin! oy to some and nothin! to others'Chorus%8 say blessed is the man (hose li2e has been happy * so 2ar'These are use2ul pieces o2 ad.ice' True (isdom'%irecting the following to entheus who is still inside the palace.=ou- Pentheus9 8t is you- 8 mean' =ou (hos anGious to see thin!s you really dontneed to see- it is enou!h 2or you to loo, to 2ind (hat can be 2ound'8houtingPentheus9 Come out o2 the palace' 5et me see you dressed in your ne( clothes asa ;aenad- a Bacchant' =ou (hos anGious to spy on your mother and on the Bacchicrituals'

    3nter entheus and his ser&ant.entheus is dressed as a Bacchant. Long curls, long white robe, garlands, thyrsus.*e en$oys his new get up and enthusiastically accepts %ionysos" suggestions.*e is in a da1e.01.Pentheus%8> 8 thin, 8 can see t(o suns> and our city o2 se.en !ates- Thebes> there are t(oo2 them also' And you- stran!er- you act as my !uide- 8 see you.e turned into a!reat bull and t(o hu!e horns ha.e sprouted out o2 your head9 ere you e.erbe2ore a beastHDionysos%Ah- yes9 =our eyes ha.e been restored no(- Pentheus' o( you can see properly'=ou seeH od is (ith us no(- not li,e be2ore (hen he 2ou!ht us'Pentheus%6o- ho( do 8 loo,H 5oo, at my 2ace' 8s it more similar to my mothers A!a.es or to8nosHDionysos%mm> to tell you the truth- (hen 8 loo, at you care2ully> 8 thin, 8 can see both o2them in you' @- loo, at this curl- you.e messed it up' ot at all li,e 8 did it inside'Pentheus%=es- 8 had a bit o2 a dance inside and as 8 (hirled my head around a bit- li,e the

    Bacchants- 8 thre( it out o2 its place'Dionysos%ere- let me 2iG it 2or you' 5i2t your head a bit'Pentheus%Come- 8m in your hands' Tidy me up a bit'Dionysos%5oo, here9 =our !irdle is .ery loose and the 2olds o2 your robe dont 2all strai!ht- allthe (ay to your an,les'0)+Pentheus%=es- 8 thou!ht so9 8ts all ri!ht (ith the le2t le! thou!h- isnt itH

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    Dionysos%=oull see- Pentheus' 8ll be your best 2riend once you see ho( (ise and properlybeha.ed the Bacchants are'Pentheus%o( do 8 hold the thyrsus so that 8 can loo, more li,e a BacchantH 7i!ht hand or

    le2tHDionysos%=ou hold it (ith your ri!ht hand and mo.e your ri!ht 2oot 2or(ard at the same time'8m !lad you.e chan!ed your mind about all this'Pentheus%Do you thin, 8d be able to li2t the (hole mountain- its .alleys and all the Bacchantson my bac,HDionysos%@2 course you (ill9 o( that you ha.e your mind bac,- you can do (hate.er youli,e' ot li,e be2ore'Pentheus%

    ell- should 8 brin! !reat le.ers and pulleys 2or the ob or could 8 do it (ith my barehands- arms and shouldersH 8 mean tear up the (hole mountain'0/-Dionysos%=oud ha.e to be care2ul not to destroy the Bacchants haunts and the dens o2 Pan9=ou ,no( ho( Pan lo.es to play his pipes around there'Pentheus%Luite ri!ht- ?uite ri!ht' 8ts not proper to use my stren!th to de2eat mere (omen' 8llhide amon! the 2ir trees'Dionysos%Absolutely9 =ou must hide yoursel2 (ell- since youre !oin! there secretly- to spyupon them'Pentheus%e- he9 8 thin, 8ll be catchin! these (omen as one catches the little birds% insidetheir little lo.e nests'Dionysos%ell- thats (hat youre !oin! there 2or- to spy on them and catch them> that is> i2they dont catch you 2irst90+-Pentheus%Ta,e me ri!ht throu!h the centre o2 Thebes- stran!er9 Because 8 (ant to sho( them

    that 8m the only one amon! them (ho dares do such a thin!'Dionysos%=ou are the only one (ho cares 2or your city- enou!h to under!o such trials-Pentheus' The trails are (orthy o2 ust such a bra.e man as you' Follo( me' 8ll beyour !uide and your sa.iour'@nce (ere there- others (ill ta,e o.er 2rom me>Pentheus%;y mother- yes'Dionysos%=oure a re.ered symbol to them all- Pentheus'Pentheus%

    Thats (hy 8m comin!'

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    Dionysos%>ta,e you 2rom me and deli.er you to>Pentheus%Ta,e me 2rom you> li,e a spoilt child- you meanHDionysos%

    >your mother'Pentheus%=ou are !i.in! me such a bi! head (ith all your compliments'Dionysos%And (hat a bi! head90,-Pentheus%8 do deser.e it- o2 course99hile entheus is absorbed in his clothes.Dionysos%=oure a mi!hty man- Pentheus9 ;i!htier than the mi!hty and there are mi!hty

    battles (aitin! 2or you- mi!hty enou!h 2or your !lory to reach the hea.ens9@h- A!a.e and all o2 you- dau!hters o2 admos- open your arms- !et ready 2or theman 8m brin!in! you' 7ecei.e him and o22er him this mi!hty battle * a battle o2(hich 8ll be the (inner' 8 and Dionysos' The battle (ill disclose (hate.er else isnecessary'30it entheus, %ionysos and entheus" ser&ant.0,,Chorus%7un- 2renzied bitches- run to the mountain (here admos dau!hters are !athered2or their rites97aise them all9 7aise those (omen a!ainst this man (hos put on (omens clothesand has !one to spy on the ;aenads'Chorus%is mother (ill see him 2irst- either 2rom a hi!h cra! or 2rom behind a (oody hidin!place' 6he (ill see him and she (ill shout- ho is that (hos come to spy uponadmos mountain/lo.in! dau!htersH ho is his motherH Because surely- a(omans blood has not !i.en birth to him- rather some lioness or some !or!on 2rom5ibya has !i.en him li2e'Chorus%5et Iustice come- let Iustice appear- let Iustice carry a s(ord- slashin! theheathens throat 2rom end to end- Ehions son- the unust- the mortal (ho treats our

    la(s (ith disdain'Chorus%e comes to you- Dionysos- (ith e.il intent- (ith an unust mind- there he comes toyour mystic rites and to those o2 your mother'Chorus%ith a madness in the heartAnd a madness in the mind-1---Chorus%To con?uer the uncon?uerable (ith mi!ht but no mind' Death (ill put his mind on astrai!ht path' The (ise minds are the minds that obey the !ods and stay (ithin the

    bounds o2 their mortality and so lon! as they li.e- theyll 2eel no sorro('

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    Chorus%8 2eel no en.y 2or the (ise'Chorus%8 lo.e to hunt other !reat thin!s- !reat and ob.ious and 8 lead a li2e (ith re.erence-sheddin! unust .ie(s and- day and ni!ht- (ith oy 8 honour the mortals'

    Chorus%5et Iustice come- let Iustice appear- let Iustice carry a s(ord- slashin! theheathens throat 2rom end to end- Ehions son- the unust- the mortal- (ho treats ourla(s (ith disdain'Chorus%Come- Dionysos- appear- li,e a bull or li,e a many/headed dra!on- or li,e a lion 2ullo2 2lame and 2ire9Chorus%Come- Dionysos- come and smile and entan!le the (ild hunter o2 the maenads inyour nets- (hile hes 2allen in the 2atal hands o2 the Bacchants'8hort pause of utter silence.

    3nter entheus" ser&ant. *orrified.6er.ant%lorious palace o2 old 6idon- the man (ho had so(n the sna,es teeth into the!round and har.ested earthly bein!9 ;ost eGcellent palace in the (hole o2 reece'o( deep a hurt 8 2eel 2or you e.en thou!h 8 am but a mere sla.e here'Chorus%hats upH Are you brin!in! us some bad ne(s 2rom the BacchantsH1-)-6er.ant%Pentheus- Ehions son is dead'Chorus% 30uberantly.@ 5ord Dionysos9 =ou are indeed a !reat !od96er.ant%hatH hat did you sayH hat did you say- (omanH =ou are happy (ith our 5ordsmis2ortuneHChorus%a9 8m a 2orei!ner9 8 shout (ith oy (ith a 2orei!ners .oice' Theres no need 2or meto co(er 2rom the 2ear that theyll loc, me up'6er.ant%Do you thin, the Thebans are such co(ardsHChorus%

    8 !et my orders 2rom Dionysos- not 2rom the Thebans'6er.ant%8 dont be!rud!e you that but its not ri!ht 2or you to reoice o.er these sad e.ents'Chorus%Tell me- ho( did this unust man (ho lo.ed inustice dieH1-*)6er.ant%8 (as 2ollo(in! my master and the stran!er and- a2ter (e (al,ed past all the Thebanhouses- (e (ent throu!h the mur,y (aters o2 Asepos and the three o2 us climbedthe pea,s o2 itheron' The stran!er (as 2irst- then my master and 2inally me' Thestran!er (as leadin! us to the place (here (e could see the mystic rites per2ormed

    by the Bacchants'e (al,ed and tal,ed so2tly so that (e could see them but they couldnt see us'

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    e e.entually came to a !rassy spot and there (e spread oursel.es 2lat on the!round' All around us (ere deep cra!s and precipices and the ri.ers (aters rushedmi!htily and the pine trees (ith their hu!e shades cooled us'The maenads (ere sittin! nearby and enoyed themsel.es (ith pleasant deeds-2iGin! the i.y that 2ell o22 their thyrsus or- ust li,e the happy youn! 2illies that had ust

    been released 2rom their carts handsome yo,e- san! sacred son!s to each other'Poor Pentheus could sense the presence o2 the cro(d o2 ;aenads but he couldntsee them so he said to the stran!er- stran!er- my eyes cant see these rottenBacchants 2rom here' 5et me climb hi!h up onto the tip o2 that 2ir tree so that 8 cansee better their lecherous deeds'And its 2rom that moment on that 8 truly sa( the stran!ers miracles'e !rabs a branch (hich (as .ery hi!h up on the tree- bends it and brin!s it do(nall the (ay to the blac, soil' All the (ay do(n 2rom the depths o2 the s,y'The branch made a per2ect and beauti2ul circle- li,e the rin! o2 a (heel- dra(n andmade by a compass' 6omethin! no mortal could ha.e done' Then he placesPentheus onto the branch and slo(ly- care2ully- lets it rise- so that he (ont 2all

    do(n' The ,in! then sat on that branch and (aited' 6uddenly thou!h- the ;aenadssa( him better than he sa( them himsel2'1-,/o one could see the stran!er any more and it (as only a minute later that Dionysos*8m sure it (as he/ called out loudly%;aenads9 8.e brou!ht you the man (ho moc,s you and moc,s my rites also'Come- hes yours- punish him9And (ith these (ords- hea.en and earth (ere 2illed (ith sacred 2ires' Then a !reatsilence 2illed the air' A silence (hich bound all the trees o2 the .alley- all the shrubsand one could not hear the .oices o2 the beasts'The (omen didnt seem to ha.e heard Dionysos .oice so they stood and- aloo2 and(ith their eyes (ide open they (aited'Dionysos yelled a!ain and this time admos dau!hters reco!nised Dionysos .oiceand rushed ?uic,ly and li,e do.es attac,ed'A!a.e- his mother- his sisters and all the other Bacchants- (ild (ith the !ods spirit-umped o.er hu!e torrents o2 .alleys and ca.es and (hen they sa( the ,in! sittin!on the 2ir tree- 2irst they be!an thro(in! roc,s at him' Then they climbed a roc, and2rom there thre( at him lon! branches o2 2ir- made li,e spears' @thers a!ain senttheir thyrsus 2lyin! at poor Pentheus but they too- ,ept missin! him'11--Thats because he (as 2ar too hi!h 2or them' The poor ,in! sat there not ,no(in!

    (hat to do' The ;aenads then tore !reat bi! branches 2rom the tree- made (oodenle.ers out o2 them and then tried to rip out Pentheus tree 2rom the roots' Thosee22orts also amounted to nothin!' Then A!a.e shouted- Come- ;aenads- comestand around it- !rab the branches o2 the tree (ith your hands and climb up to thebeast' ill it so he (ont re.eal our mystic rites to the (orld'The ;aenads surrounded the tree and (ith a thousand hands tore the 2ir 2rom itsroots' Do(n came Pentheus- crashin! to the !round- the 2ear cuttin! his breath' e,ne( he (as near his death'First it (as his mother- Dionysos priestess' 6he started the slau!hter' 6he umpedupon him (ith an!er and he too, the ribbon 2rom his head so that his mother (ouldreco!nise him and spare him and patted her chee, so2tly' 8ts me- mother- he said-

    your son- Pentheus' =ou !a.e birth to me- mother- in Ehions palace9 a.e pity onme- mother9 Dont ,ill me- dont ,ill your son ust because hes made a mista,e'

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    11(-But he couldnt con.ince her' 6he (as 2rothin! at the mouth and her eyes rolled(ildly in their soc,ets' Dionysos spirit had made her crazy' ;ad' 6eized by thespirit o2 her !od'6he then !rabbed her sons arm- stepped on his shoulder blade and ripped his arm

    clean o22 his body' The stren!th (as not her o(n but her !ods' @n the other side8no (as doin! her part- tearin! his 2lesh' 6o did A2tinoe' The (hole population o2;aenads stopped and !azed at the spectacle' The (hole place echoed (ithscreams and he (as !roanin! (ith pain (hile he (as still ali.e' Then the ;aenadsbe!an a (ar cry and each carried some part o2 Pentheus body' @ne carried a handanother a 2oot (ith its shoe still attached on it- others tore at his ribs sho(in! thembare and others (ith bloody hands tossed parts o2 his 2lesh to each other'Bits o2 his 2lesh (ere stre(n about e.ery(here' 6ome up a!ainst the rou!h roc,sothers so deep in the shrubs o2 the 2orest that it (as impossible to 2ind them all'And his poor head9 is mother happened to ta,e a hold o2 it' 6he stuc, it at the endo2 her thyrsus and no( carries it around the mountains paths- yellin!- its the head

    o2 a mountain lion9 8ts the head o2 a mountain lion'6he le2t behind her sisters and the rest o2 the ;aenads and she is headin! this (ayproudly carryin! the poor prey- callin! Dionysos her 2ello( hunter and partner inthe hunt and most .ictorious'ith this .ictory- A!a.e !ained only a blac, tear'8 dont (ant to (itness her misery (hen she comes to the palace so- 8ll lea.e no( incase (ere both here at the same time'isdom and respect 2or the !ods is a !reat .irtue and a possession most (orthy 2orthe mortals to ha.e'30it entheus" ser&ant.11/)Chorus%=oyfulAh- let us reoice the .ictory o2 our 5ord- Dionysos and let us mourn the death o2dra!on/born Pentheus- (ho put on (omens clothes and loo,in! 2or a reason to die-too, a (ei!hty thyrsus (ith him' A bull !uided him to his death'Chorus%omen o2 admos- you.e turned a !lorious .ictory into a lament 2ull o2 tears'hat a deli!ht2ul .ictory it is- really- holdin! in your arms your childs blood/drippin!hand'Chorus%a9 8 can see Pentheus mother A!a.e rushin! to(ards the palace'

    hat a dread2ul si!ht9 o( (ild her eyes97ecei.e her- recei.e her you !roup o2 Dionysos 2ollo(ers93nter 'ga&e, wild, bloodstained, with entheus" head stuc) on her thyrsus. 3cstatic.8he is followed by two or three other blood stained Bacchants.11+.A!a.e%Bacchants o2 Asia9Chorus%@- ho( 8 shudder (hen 8 loo, at you9A!a.e%5oo,9 8 brin! 2rom the mountain a branch- 2reshly cut- a e(el to my thyrsus' 8ts 2or

    the palace' @h- (hat stunnin! hunt9

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    Chorus%8 see it- A!a.e and 8 shall accept it' e (ill celebrate to!ether'A!a.e%8 cau!ht it (ith my o(n hands' 8 cau!ht this lion (ith my o(n hands- no traps-nothin!' Come9 Come and loo,9

    8he shows them the head but they withdraw in fearChorus%here did you catch itHA!a.e%At itheron'Chorus%hats itheronHA!a.e%A mountain' Thats (here (e ,illed this lion'Chorus%hich o2 you struc, 2irstH

    A!a.e%8 (as honoured to be the 2irst' 8 am honoured and 2amous also 2or my dancin!'Chorus%ho (as neGtHA!a.e%admos>Chorus%=esH admos (hatHA!a.e%admos dau!hters neGt' They thre( themsel.es at the beast strai!ht a2ter me' @-

    (hat a happy hunt9Chorus%>'(Te0t lost!A!a.e%Come- oin the celebrations9Chorus%o( can 8- poor (omanH'ga&e pets entheus" headA!a.e%hat a deli!ht2ul little lamb9 o( sil,y and thic, the da(n on his chee,' 6o2t and

    barely .isible beneath his hair'Chorus%8t loo,s li,e the mane o2 a (ild beast that li.es deep in the 2orest'A!a.e%Dionysos is (ise and (ise (as his act to thro( his maenads at this hunt'Chorus%Dionysos is an eGcellent hunter'A!a.e%An eGcellent hunter- yes'Chorus%EGcellent- indeed9

    A!a.e%The Thebans- too (ill praise me9

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    Chorus%=our son- too- Pentheus'A!a.e%E.eryone (ill praise me 2or catchin! this lo.ely lion' hat a !reat catch9110+

    Chorus%A rich re(ard9A!a.e%7ichly re(ardedChorus%And youre happy thenHA!a.e%Am 8 happyH 8 am happy and totally elated- because 8 achie.ed !reat- (ondrousthin!s throu!h this hunt'Chorus%A!a.e- !o and sho( your catch to the locals' 6ho( them all (hat a !ood hunter you

    are'A!a.e% To the audienceCome near- people o2 this land- this Thebes (ith her splendid to(ers' Come andsee the catch (e- admos dau!hters cau!ht (ithout traps or nets or (ith Thessalianspears but (ith our o(n bare hands'o need 2or people to try so hard (ith their a.elins' ere (e are- (ith these barehands alone (e cau!ht and tore the beast to shreds'here is my old 2atherH here is that old manH 6omeone tell him to come outhere' Pentheus- too- my son' here is heH 5et him ta,e the hi!h ladder and puttin!it sa2ely a!ainst the palace (all- let him nail onto the sculptures this lions head (hich8- yes 8- hunted and cau!ht'8he runs enthusiastically behind the curtain, 8L.3nter 7admos in mourning.*e is followed by two ser&ants who are carrying the remainder of entheus" body ona bier.1(1+admos%Come- ser.ants- 2ollo( me (ith your most melancholy burden' Follo( me to thepalace (ith Pentheus corpse' 8 had to search 2or it all o.er the cra!s o2 itheron';iserable Fate' ;iserable (or, to 2ind all his body in slau!htered and bloody pieces-lyin! here and there- amon! the shrubs- impossible to 2ind'

    8 (as returnin! 2rom the rites (ith old Teiresias (hen 8 o.erheard one o2 mydau!hters tal,in! about their incredible and dire deeds- so 8 ?uic,ly turned bac, to2ind the child the ;aenads ,illed' And here he is'8 met A2tonoe (ho- to!ether (ith Aristaios !a.e birth to A,taion' 8no (as (ith her' 8sa( them runnin! (ildly- hal2 crazed all around the 2orests'They told me that A!a.e (as headin! this (ay- her step crazy as her mind> ereshe is' 8 see shes loo,in! sad'3nter 'ga&e still carrying the head of entheus and still full of blood.*er friends are still with her, as before.A!a.e%Father- be proud o2 your dau!hters' =ou- more than all the other mortals !a.e birth

    to the best o2 them' @2 course- theyre not only tal,in! about me but about all o2 us-but more so about me because 8.e le2t my shuttle coc, neGt to my loom and too, up

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    the !reater deeds' o( 8 hunt beasts (hich 8 catch (ith my bare hands and brin!here in my arms' This one 2or eGample- this trophy you see here is to be hun! ontothe palace (alls'Come- 2ather' old it yoursel2' old it proudly- 2ather- its a (orthy catch' 8n.ite your2riends and ha.e a 2east because my achie.ements ma,e you happy'

    admos%@- (hat a blac,- blac,- immeasurable- intolerable- misery this is 2or an old manseyes9hat a(2ul murder you ha.e done (ith your bare hands9 hat a beauti2ul sacri2iceyou ha.e o22ered to the !ods- A!a.e9@- A!a.e9 And you (ant to in.ite Thebes and me to 2easts9 @- (hat an ill Fate- 2irst2or you and then 2or me' o( utterly Dionysos has destroyed us'e (as ri!ht in doin! so- o2 course but he (as so hard9 A true !od o2 our race'A!a.e%o( oyless old a!e ma,es people9 o( miserable it turns their 2ace' 8 (ish myson (ill be as !ood a hunter as his mother (hen hell be !oin! o22 on hunts (ith the

    rest o2 Thebes youth9 But he only ,no(s ho( to do one thin! only and that is ho( to2i!ht a!ainst the !ods9 Counsel him 2ather' e listens to you'8s there no one (ho can !o and brin! him here to see me so ecstaticHadmos%@- un2ortunate (oman9 o( terribly you (ill su22er (hen you.e disco.ered (hatyou.e actually done9 8 hope you stay as you are- i!norant o2 the deed' =ou mi!htnot be the happiest o2 human bein!s but youll also be 2ree o2 su22erin!9A!a.e%Father- (hat is it that you see and dont li,eH hat ma,es you so sadHadmos%Dau!hter- turn your eyes to this part o2 the hea.ens'A!a.e% obeysere you are' hats there that you thin, 8 should be seein!Hadmos%8s it the same s,y or do you thin, it has chan!ed in some (ayHA!a.e%8ts more> translucent> bri!hter9admos%o( loo, into your soul' 8s it as turbulent as be2oreHA!a.e%8> dont ,no( ho( this happened but 8> 8 2eel di22erent- as i2 8m comin! to-

    reco.erin! 2rom somethin!> my old thou!hts ha.e been replaced'admos%A!a.e- i2 you can understand me ans(er my ?uestions'A!a.e%But> 8 2or!ot (hat (e (ere tal,in! about- 2ather'admos%Tell me- dau!hter' ith (hom did you enter the (eddin! chamberHA!a.e%=ou !a.e me to the so(n one- the one (ho- they say- sprun! out o2 the dra!onsseed' Ehion'admos%

    And (hat child sprun! 2rom your union in that houseH

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    A!a.e%Pentheus' 8 am his mother and Ehion his 2ather'admos%o( loo,- dau!hter- loo, into your arms' hose head are you holdin!HA!a.e% answers without loo)ing

    The lions- o2 course' Iust li,e the huntresses said>admos%Thin, no(- A!a.e' 8ts a small e22ort to loo, at it'1(.-A!a.e%Ahhhh9 hat is thisH hat do 8 seeH hat is this in my armsHadmos%Concentrate- dau!hter' 5oo, more closely'A!a.e%Ahhh9 8 can see the !reatest o2 pains9 @h- my darlin!9 @- miserable Fate9admos%

    Does it loo, li,e the head o2 a lion to you any moreHA!a.e%o- no9 8ts the head o2 my Pentheus 8m holdin! in my arms9 Pentheus9admos%=es> mourned by me- A!a.e- be2ore you reco!nised it9A!a.e%ho ,illed himH o( did he come to be in my handsHadmos%@ bitter truth9 o( belated you come9A!a.e%

    Tell me' 8 cant (ait any more' ;y heart is brea,in!'admos%=ou and your sisters ha.e ,illed him- A!a.e'1(0-A!a.e%But (here did it happenH ere in the palace or else(hereHadmos%At the same place (here the (ild bitches once ,illed A,taion'A!a.e%But (hy did Pentheus come to itheron- the poor boyHadmos%

    e came to moc, Dionysos and your Bacchic rites'A!a.e%But ho( did (e !et up thereHadmos%=ou (ere dri.en by the Bacchic Frenzy9 The (hole city (as at it'A!a.e%o( 8 understand' Dionysos has destroyed us'admos%@2 course he did and ?uite ri!htly too' e (as insulted most arro!antlyJ you had norespect 2or this !od'A!a.e%

    Father- (here is my beauti2ul sons bodyH

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    admos% *e points at the bier.8.e loo,ed all around the 2orest and slo(ly !athered the pieces'A!a.e%a.e you oined all the pieces to!ether (ellHadmos%

    >>(Te0t missing!A!a.e%But (hat role did Pentheus play in our disrespect 2or the !odHadmos%e had become ust li,e you' e didnt respect Dionysos either' The !od thre( us allinto a common disaster% you- Pentheus and me' ;y household is utterly destroyed'hat a horrible shame- (hat a dread2ul mis2ortune to see the only male 2ruit o2 your(omb dead9 8 ha.e no other heir9%irecting his words to entheus" head in 'ga&e"s arms@- Pentheus9 =ou (ere the pride o2 the palace- son o2 my son- stren!th o2 our city'

    =our proud stature (ould 2ri!hten anyone (ho dared to hurt me- an old man' ed!et his ust re(ards i2 he had tried anythin! a!ainst me'o(- 8- 8 the !reat admos- (ho has so(n the !reat race o2 Thebans and too, the!reat har.est- 8 must be thro(n out o2 this palace (ith no honour';y only son9 E.en dead 8 (ill lo.e you more than all the men on earth'=oull ne.er a!ain run your hands throu!h my beard- nor (ill you e.er call me yourmothers 2ather e.er a!ain' =ou used to say- hos bein! unust to you- (ho hurtsyour honourH ho hurt your heart- !rand/2ather and made you 2eel so bitterH Iusttell me- !rand/2ather and 8ll put him strai!ht9All this is !one no(- my child' retched am 8 and you are dead' =our poor- haplessmother- our (hole race doomed'To the other Bacchants (friends of 'ga&e!82 theres anyone (ho insults the !ods let him turn his eyes to this and let himbelie.e'Chorus%8 too- 2eel your pain- admos but your !randson (as punished ustly'A!a.e%Ah- 2ather9 5oo, at me and ho( 8.e chan!ed9(Loo)ing at the corpse of entheus!hat is this corpse 8m holdin! in my hands- and ho( can 8- a piti2ul (oman- hold himti!htly- lo.in!ly into my chestH

    @h- child9 o( can 8 possibly mourn and 2are(ell all these man!led parts o2 yours-my sonH 8 used to adore and ,iss your (hole body once * 8 raised it (ith my o(nt(o hands'@ld man- brin! here the head o2 this un2ortunate child' 5ets try and brin! it as closeto the rest o2 his po(er2ul body as (e can'(7admos obeys!@h- my belo.ed 2ace- chee,s o2 youth9 5oo,- my son- (ith this cloth 8 co.er yourhead and the other blood/drenched parts o2 your body'ith (hat shroud should 8 co.er youHhich hands (ill bury you my sonH%ionysos appears at the parapet of the palace.

    1))-Dionysos%

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    This man has 2allen into the traps o2 the Theban ;aenads because he moc,ed me'As 2or them- they must lea.e this city because (ith e?ual arro!ance they committedhis murder' They must ne.er see their country a!ain because it is a sacrile!e 2ormurderers to stay around the tombs o2 their .ictims'=ou- no( admus9 =ou (ill ta,e the shape o2 a sna,e and so (ill your (i2e- Armonia

    (ill also become a sna,e because you- a mortal- dared to marry Ares dau!hter':eus oracle has said it and you (ill obey it% =ou and your (i2e (ill yo,e a cattle cartand (ith it lead an army o2 2orei!ners' =our army (ould be countless and (ith ityoull con?uer many cities but a2ter you.e destroyed Apollos shrine- you and yourarmies (ill ha.e a terrible homecomin!'=ou- ho(e.er- and Armonia (ill be sa.ed by Ares and he (ill dictate that you shouldli.e in the land o2 the blessed'These are my (ords- the (ords not o2 a mortal but o2 the son o2 :eus- Dionysos' 82-instead o2 re2usin! me you had accepted this 2act- youd no( be .ery happy- indeedand youd ha.e me as your ally'admus%

    For!i.e us- Dionysos9 For!i.e us' e ha.e treated you unustly'1)*/Dionysos%This you.e understood 2ar too late and not (hen it (as important'admos%=es- (e ha.e only ust understood this but your punishment is harsh'Dionysos%8- too- thou!h a !od- 2elt the insults'admos%ods should not be the same as the mortals in their an!er'Dionysos%These are thin!s (hich :eus- my 2ather has declared a lon! time a!o'A!a.e%Piti2ul bein!s- 2ather- our eGile is our Fate'Dionysos%hy then delay the thin!s that cannot be chan!edH30it %ionysosadmos%hat a blac, calamity (e all 2ell into- my dau!hter9 A dismal luc, to you and to yoursisters- your son and your 2ather9 A heart bro,en man- an old man- 8 must no( !oand li.e amon! 2orei!ners' And the despair continues' @nce there 8 must lead an

    army o2 those 2orei!ners a!ainst my o(n reece'And then ho( can 8- (ith Armonia- Ares dau!hter- my (i2e- sna,es both o2 us- allo(such an army o2 spearmen cra(l all o.er the tombs and altars o2 reeceH And mydismal Fate (ont end there and 8 (ont rest e.en a2ter 8 cross the streams o2Aheron'A!a.e%And 8- too- 2ather- (ill lea.e you' 8 too- (ill !o to eGile' o( 8 (ill miss you9admos%Because my darlin! child- (hen you hu! me- (hen you hu! this old manJ (hen youthro( your arms around me- around this (retched and disabled man (ith his hair all!rey- 8 2eel as i2 a s(an is co.erin! me'

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    1)++A!a.e%here should 8 turn to no(- 2atherH Thro(n out o2 my o(n country li,e thisHadmos%8 dont ,no(- child' 8 ust dont ,no(' o( little can be the help that a parent can

    o22er to his child9A!a.e%'ddressing the palaceFare(ell palace' Fare(ell land o2 my parents' Desolate and thrice cursed- 8meGiled 2rom the house 8 entered as a bride'admos%o to the house o2 Aristaios my child- A2tonoes husband' Perhaps there youll 2indyour sisters also'A!a.e%Father- 8 (ill miss you9admos%And 8 you- my dau!hter' 8 cry 2or you and 2or your sisters'

    A!a.e%o( cruel is this !od- in! Dionysos' hat brutal punishment to send you 2rom yourpalace9Chorus%People all o.er Thebes de2ied this !od'A!a.e%8m lea.in! no(- 2ather' ood bye9admos%ood bye my s(eet dau!hter' ;ay !ood only come your (ay'A!a.e% To the Theban BacchantsCome- lets !o my 2riends' 5ets !o and 2ind my !rie2/stric,en sisters (ho le2t be2oreus' 5et us !o to a place so 2ar 2rom itheron that neither it can loo, upon me nor 8upon it- lest the memory o2 the thyrsus is called upon a!ain' 5et other Bacchantsloo, a2ter such thin!s 2rom no( on'30it 'ga&e and the Theban Bacchants1)..Chorus%The Fates ha.e many !uises and the !ods brin! about many thin!s uneGpected bymortals' Those thin!s (e eGpect do not necessarily happen'6o ends this play'

    30it 'll

    En o2E3ri4iesBa556ae

    M1NTo a.oid con2usion 8.e used only the name Dionysos'M#NA tall sta22 or spear +emblem o2 Dionysos and his 2ollo(ers (rapped round (ithi.y and .ine branches and o2ten (ith a pine cone at the topM3NThe (ords- 2renzy and mania are interchan!eable in meanin! 2or thepurposes o2 this translation'

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