Go Down, Dionysus

In 307 B.C., a young Macedonian in the mold of Alexander named Demetrius appeared with a large fleet in the sea before Athens. And this charismatic and beautiful young man made a name for himself, capturing cities and winning battles throughout Greece, becoming king of Macedon. And when he returned to Athens in 295 B.C., Demetrius, who had earned the nickname The Besieger, gathered the Athenian people in the Theatre of Dionysus to give a performance of himself as demigod. According to historian Tom Holland, “Stars embroidered on his cloak identified him with the sun. Dancers adorned with giant phalluses greeted him as though he were Dionysus. Choirs sang a hymn that proclaimed him a god and saviour.”