Theban Maenads
group · 2 works · 2 mentions · 4 anchored passages
the Maenads · daughters of Kadmos · sisters of Semele · the Bacchae · the women
in the texts
Protrepticus
Female worshippers of Dionysus engaged in Bacchic frenzy and ritual flesh-eating, contrasted with the sober Christian chorus.
And in it revel not the sisters of thunder-struck Semele, the Maenads, who are initiated into a foul distribution of flesh, but the daughters of God, the fair lambs, declaring the august rites of the Word, gathering a sober chorus.
Bacchae
The frenzied Theban women, led by Agave, Ino, and Autonoe, who hunt down and dismember Pentheus on Kithairon.
The whole band, hands bloodied, were playing a game of catch with Pentheus’ flesh.
Some aimed with pine branches and other women hurled their thyrsoi through the air at Pentheus, a sad target indeed.
He repeated his order, and when the daughters of Kadmos recognized the clear command of Bacchus, they rushed forth, swift as a dove, running with eager speed of feet, his mother Agave, and her sisters, and all the Bacchae.