ProfessorBettanyHughesinvestigatesthestoryofBacchus,godofwine,revelry,theatreandexcess,travellingtoGeorgia,Jordan,GreeceandBritaintodiscoverhisoriginsandhispresenceinthemodernworld,andexplorehow'losingoneself'playsavitalroleinthedevelopmentofcivilisation. Inthisfascinatingjourney,BettanybeginsinGeorgiawhereshediscoversevidenceoftheworld'soldestwineproduction,andtheroleitmayhaveplayedinbuildingcommunities.InAthenssherevealsBacchus'spivotalroleinasocietywherehisecstaticworshipwasembracedbyallclasses,andmostimportantlywomen.OnCyprussheuncoversstartlingparallelsbetweenBacchusandChrist.Finally,Bettanyfollowsthegod'smodernembraceinNietzsche'sphilosophy,experimentaltheatreandthehedonistichippiemovementtoconcludethat,whilethisgodofecstasyisworthyofcontemporaryreconsideration,itisvitaltoheedthewarningoftheancients-"MEDENAGAN"-nothinginexcess.
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