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.
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.
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.