 The Story Behind the Dionysus Mosaic
Created by: * Beauty Solon, 2007-04-21 14:29:05
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The House of Masks mosaic matches the interpretation of Dionysus as the son of Zeus and Persephone, the queen of the underworld.
A jealous Hera attempted to kill the child, sending the Titans to rip Dionysus to pieces after luring the baby with toys. Zeus drove the Titans away with his thunderbolts, but only after the Titans ate everything but the heart, which was saved, variously, by Athena, Rhea, or Demeter. Zeus used the heart to recreate him in the womb of Semele, hence he was again "the twice-born". Sometimes people said that he gave Semele the heart to eat to impregnate her. The rebirth in both versions of the story is the primary reason he was worshipped in mystery religions, as his death and rebirth were events of mystical reverence. This narrative was apparently used in certain Greek and Roman mystery religions. If you look closely at the mosaic you can see the heart in the bag.
