Gilt Bronze Plate In Relief - Three Bacchanals In Feast

Very beautiful bronze plaque in relief representing Three "Bacchante" priestesses dressed in antique style. A hook on the back for suspension. History ; Bacchanals were Religious Festivals celebrated in Antiquity. In the Greek and Roman world, bacchanalia (Latin: bacchanales) were festivals linked to the Dionysian mysteries in honor of the god Bacchus or Dionysus (deity of the vine and wine), during which people drank without measure. The priestesses who organized these ceremonies were called Bacchantes and this name was later associated with Roman orgies. These primitive celebrations were exclusively feminine and came from the original cult of the god Pan. Introduced in Rome (around 200 BC). The bacchanals were celebrated in secret and with the sole participation of women in the grove of Simila, near Mount Aventine. The days of celebration were the first full moon of January and the first day of March, as well as March 16 and 17. Later, participation in the rites was extended to men and the celebrations took place five times a month.