AMPELUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Ampelus was one of the named Satyrs, one of the nature creatures of Greek mythology. Satyrs were closely associated with the god Dionysus, and Ampelus was regarded as one of the god’s lovers.
Ampelus the SAtyr
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Once bestial in appearance, especially in early Greek myths, later tales saw Satyrs more closely associated with fauns, where they were more often described as handsome. Certainly, Ampelus was described as being handsome.
Ampelus was described as the offspring of an unnamed Satyr and nymph, and although initially associated with Thrace. Ampelus soon to be found in the retinue of Dionysus. |
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Potentially a lover of Dionysus, Ampelus was certainly beloved by the god. The famous tales of Ampelus though, relate to the death of the young Satyr.
The Rash Decision of Ampelus
The dominant myth tells of Ampelus visited by the goddess Ate, the goddess of rash decisions. Ate convinced Ampelus that he had fallen out of favour with Dionysus’ eye now being caught by others, To impress Dionysus, Ampelus decided to ride upon the back of a wild bull. Initially successful, Ate then intervened again, and rashly Ampelus now mocked the goddess Selene.
Selene sent forth a gadfly, just as Hera had done with Io, and when the gadfly bit the bull, it bucked up, and Ampelus then fell. The wild bull then turned, and gored the prone Ampelus to death.
A less prosaic death was told of by Ovid though, for Ampelus simply fell to his death from an elm tree as he was picking grapes.
Selene sent forth a gadfly, just as Hera had done with Io, and when the gadfly bit the bull, it bucked up, and Ampelus then fell. The wild bull then turned, and gored the prone Ampelus to death.
A less prosaic death was told of by Ovid though, for Ampelus simply fell to his death from an elm tree as he was picking grapes.
The Transformation of Ampelus
The tale of Ampelus though is also one of transformation, for it is said that when Dionysus found the body of his lover, he metamorphosed the body. Nonnus tells of Ampelus being transformed into the first grape vine, and the blood of the Satyr being turned into wine.
Ovid tells of Ampelus’ transformation into a star though, the star named Vindemiatrix or, Vindemiatorthe, the grape harvester, a star which is now known as Epsilon Virginis.
Ovid tells of Ampelus’ transformation into a star though, the star named Vindemiatrix or, Vindemiatorthe, the grape harvester, a star which is now known as Epsilon Virginis.
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Colin Quartermain - Ampelus - 7th January 2024