Reuters report the discovery of frescoes in the ruins of Pompeii depicting Dionysian initiation rituals. The article begins:
Archaeologists in Pompeii have uncovered rare, nearly life-sized frescoes that offer fresh insight into religious practices in the ancient city before it was destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the site said on Wednesday.
The discovery features a large-scale frieze that spans three walls of a banquet hall, presenting vivid imagery of the initiation rites for followers of Dionysus – the ancient Greek god of wine, fertility, theatre and religious ecstasy.
The initiation rituals, known as the Mysteries of Dionysus, were secretive religious rites dedicated to the god, promising spiritual enlightenment and possibly a blessed afterlife.
The fresco, dating to 40–30 BC, presents vivid imagery of Dionysian followers in states of ritualistic ecstasy, dancing and hunting, resembling the frescoes of the nearby Villa of the Mysteries which were uncovered 100 years ago.
