LYCURGUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Lycurgus was an impious king from the tales of Greek; Lycurgus was famed for his persecution of Dionysus, and his ultimate downfall at the hands of the god.
lYCURGUS sON OF dRYAS
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Most commonly, Lycurgus is named as a son of Dryas, and was the King of Edones in Thrace. Lycurgus’ kingdom was said to have been near to the River Strymon, and contained the mountain named Nyseion.
In Greek mythology, there were tales of impious kings who failed to give worship to the gods as was expected; amongst the most notable of these were Pentheus of Thebes, and Lycurgus. In the cases of both Pentheus and Lycurgus, the target of their impiety was Dionysus. |
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The tales of Dionysus and Lycurgus though, are many, each differing slightly in the telling of events between the god and king.
Lycurgus and Dionysus
Some tell of Dionysus coming to Edones, instructing people in the ways of the vine and wine. When Lycurgus partook of the wine though, his intoxication saw the king inflicting harm on his own mother.
When sober again, Lycurgus took up his axe, and at the head of his army, attacked Dionysus and his followers, the Maenads, upon Mount Nyseion. Dionysus jumped from the mountain, and found sanctuary in the underwater cave of Thetis.
Lycrugus then imprisoned the followers of Dionysus, denied the divinity of the god, and set about cutting down all of the vines in his kingdom.
Dionysus though, would soon return to Edones, and the god would have his revenge. Made mad by Dionysus, Lycurgus failed to recognise his own son, a boy called Dryas, and instead saw in front of him one of the hated vines. Taking up his axe, Lycurgus cut down the vine in front of him, killing his own son.
When sober again, Lycurgus took up his axe, and at the head of his army, attacked Dionysus and his followers, the Maenads, upon Mount Nyseion. Dionysus jumped from the mountain, and found sanctuary in the underwater cave of Thetis.
Lycrugus then imprisoned the followers of Dionysus, denied the divinity of the god, and set about cutting down all of the vines in his kingdom.
Dionysus though, would soon return to Edones, and the god would have his revenge. Made mad by Dionysus, Lycurgus failed to recognise his own son, a boy called Dryas, and instead saw in front of him one of the hated vines. Taking up his axe, Lycurgus cut down the vine in front of him, killing his own son.
The Death of Lycrugus |
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Some tell of Zeus blinding Lycurgus for his impiety, leaving the king to roam the world, shunned by man, but other sources tell of the death of Lycurgus. One version of the death of Lycurgus tells of the king kiling himself whilst in the throws of madness, as brought about by Dionysus, another version though, tells of Lycurgus dying at the hand of his own subjects.
In this case the kingdom of Edones was now barren, with no fruit now growing. An oracle proclaimed that without Lycurgus being punished, nothing would grow; and so, the Edonians tied their king between several horses, and as the horse were let go, Lycurgus was ripped to pieces. |
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Colin Quartermain - Lycurgus - 22nd April 2023