Dionysiaca

Name: Dionysiaca
Author: Nonnus of Panopolis

Διονυσιακά

Ancient Sources / Nonnus of Panopolis / Dionysiaca

The Dionysiaca tells the story of Dionysos in forty-eight books. Books 1 to 12 give the background (Zeus and Typhon, Cadmos and Europa, the birth of the god), books 13 to 40 the god's expedition against the Indians, and books 41 to 48 his journeys in the west and his return to Olympos. Each book opens with a one-couplet argument, given here as line 0. The translation is by W. H. D. Rouse (Loeb, 1940-42).

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Text: Greek original with English translation, 213 passages, about 201300 words in English.
Translator: W. H. D. Rouse (1940)
Edition: W. H. D. Rouse (ed.), Nonnos, Dionysiaca, Loeb Classical Library 344, 354, 356, London: Heinemann; Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1940-1942 (Greek text as digitised by Perseus)
Cite as: Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 1.0 (by book, line)

Contents · 213 passages

1.0–133Book 1: Invocation; Zeus carries Europa across the sea1291 words
1.134–218Book 1: Typhon steals Zeus's thunderbolts792 words
1.219–343Book 1: Typhon assails the stars and the sea; Hera taunts Zeus1197 words
1.344–408Book 1: Zeus takes Europa and enlists Cadmos638 words
1.409–534Book 1: Cadmos pipes to Typhon and wins back the sinews1241 words
2.0–108Book 2: Typhon rages through the land; the Hamadryads' fear1044 words
2.109–240Book 2: The nymph's lament; Victory rouses Zeus1296 words
2.241–390Book 2: Typhon's boast and the first assault on Zeus1420 words
2.391–474Book 2: The winds join Zeus; Typhon's rocks are turned aside783 words
2.475–630Book 2: Zeus overwhelms Typhon; the mock epitaph1485 words
2.631–712Book 2: Zeus rewards Cadmos; the spoils hung in Olympos794 words
3.0–130Book 3: Cadmos sails to Samothrace; Peitho leads him1171 words
3.131–215Book 3: Electra's palace and its garden; Emathion and Dardanos832 words
3.216–318Book 3: Dardanos and the flood; Cadmos tells his lineage1006 words
3.319–444Book 3: Electra consoles Cadmos; Hermes asks for Harmonia1233 words
4.0–105Book 4: Harmonia refuses; Aphrodite comes as Peisinoe1022 words
4.106–205Book 4: Peisinoe's persuasion; Harmonia leaves her home996 words
4.206–248Book 4: Electra gives Harmonia; the voyage begins423 words
4.249–381Book 4: Cadmos at Delphi; the dragon of Ares1328 words
4.382–463Book 4: Athena aids Cadmos; the sown men destroy one another722 words
5.0–121Book 5: Cadmos founds Thebes and its seven gates1157 words
5.122–228Book 5: Harmonia's necklace; the children of Cadmos979 words
5.229–279Book 5: The inventions of Aristaios552 words
5.280–408Book 5: Actaion among his dogs1205 words
5.409–532Book 5: Actaion's ghost appears to his father1160 words
5.533–621Book 5: Autonoe's grief; Zeus desires Persephoneia840 words
6.0–85Book 6: The gods desire Persephone; Demeter asks Astraios822 words
6.86–206Book 6: Astraios' oracle; the Titans kill Zagreus1139 words
6.207–257Book 6: Zeus punishes the Titans and sends the flood618 words
6.258–388Book 6: The flood; Pan and Galateia; the earth renewed1059 words
7.0–66Book 7: Time begs Zeus to relieve mankind676 words
7.67–149Book 7: Zeus promises mankind wine and a second Dionysos835 words
7.150–254Book 7: Semele washes in the Asopos886 words
7.255–368Book 7: Zeus woos Semele1061 words
8.0–121Book 8: Semele's pregnancy; Ares threatens to leave heaven1081 words
8.122–177Book 8: Hera borrows the girdle of Deceit547 words
8.178–332Book 8: Hera as Semele's nurse1574 words
8.333–418Book 8: The thunderbolt and the birth of Dionysos659 words
9.1–92Book 9: Hermes takes the infant Dionysos to Ino904 words
9.93–168Book 9: Mystis and the Corybants nurse the child722 words
9.169–228Book 9: The boy Dionysos hunts; Semele's boast702 words
9.229–321Book 9: Hera drives Ino mad; Athamas takes Themisto716 words
10.0–138Book 10: Athamas' madness; Ino leaps into the sea1358 words
10.139–217Book 10: Dionysos meets Ampelos739 words
10.218–320Book 10: Dionysos' jealous love; a Satyr's prayer988 words
10.321–430Book 10: Wrestling and racing with Ampelos993 words
11.0–82Book 11: Ampelos swims with Dionysos792 words
11.83–213Book 11: Omens of Ampelos' death; he mounts the bull1243 words
11.214–300Book 11: Death of Ampelos857 words
11.301–427Book 11: Eros tells of Calamos and Carpos1147 words
11.428–521Book 11: Calamos mourns Carpos; the Seasons visit Helios927 words
12.0–92Book 12: The Seasons read the tablets of Fate849 words
12.93–186Book 12: The vine foretold; Atropos comforts Dionysos772 words
12.187–324Book 12: Cissos becomes ivy; Dionysos tastes the wine1255 words
12.325–397Book 12: The first vintage and the revels of the Satyrs657 words
13.1–82Book 13: Iris summons Dionysos to the Indian war809 words
13.83–200Book 13: Boeotians, Phocians, Euboians and Athenians1090 words
13.201–308Book 13: Aiacos, Asterios and Aristaios join1020 words
13.309–392Book 13: Sicilians and Libyans; Psyllos and the winds695 words
13.393–463Book 13: Samothrace, Thrace and Cyprus598 words
13.464–568Book 13: Lydians, Phrygians and Carians992 words
14.0–104Book 14: Rheia arms the gods; Cabeiroi, Telchines, Cyclopes and Pans971 words
14.105–227Book 14: The Satyrs' leaders; the horned race1057 words
14.228–320Book 14: Dionysos marches through Phrygia796 words
14.321–437Book 14: The first battle; wine in the river1024 words
15.0–118Book 15: The Indians drink the river and fall asleep1063 words
15.119–206Book 15: The captives; Nicaia the huntress766 words
15.207–311Book 15: Hymnos falls in love with Nicaia952 words
15.312–422Book 15: Hymnos' plea; Nicaia kills him1101 words
16.0–70Book 16: Eros wounds Dionysos with love for Nicaia719 words
16.71–227Book 16: Dionysos woos Nicaia and is refused1566 words
16.228–301Book 16: Nicaia drinks from the wine-spring; Dionysos takes her asleep697 words
16.302–405Book 16: Nicaia's grief; the birth of Telete and the founding of Nicaia1027 words
17.0–86Book 17: Dionysos marches east; the shepherd Brongos is given wine964 words
17.87–191Book 17: Astraeis reports the drugged river; Orontes challenges Dionysos919 words
17.192–314Book 17: Orontes' duel with Dionysos and his death1127 words
17.315–397Book 17: The Bacchants rout the Indians; Aristaios heals the wounded; Blemys submits791 words
18.0–86Book 18: Staphylos and Botrys welcome Dionysos to their palace801 words
18.87–195Book 18: The feast of Staphylos and Methe; Dionysos' dream of the lion1045 words
18.196–267Book 18: Dionysos arms; Staphylos' gifts and the tale of Campe640 words
18.268–368Book 18: Staphylos' exhortation; Dionysos returns to a house in mourning938 words
19.0–96Book 19: Dionysos consoles Methe and Botrys; the harpers' contest begins992 words
19.97–157Book 19: Oiagros wins the song contest; Dionysos sets the prizes for dancing601 words
19.158–262Book 19: Seilenos and Maron contend for the golden bowl1038 words
19.263–348Book 19: Seilenos dances and becomes a river; Maron's address to the river861 words
20.0–119Book 20: Discord rouses Dionysos in a dream; the host marches1100 words
20.120–181Book 20: Pithos and the vat; the cruelty of Lycurgos614 words
20.182–288Book 20: Hera sends Iris to deceive Lycurgos and Dionysos1021 words
20.289–404Book 20: Dionysos flees into the sea; Nereus consoles him; Zeus rebukes Lycurgos1086 words
21.0–89Book 21: Ambrosia becomes a vine and binds Lycurgos880 words
21.90–177Book 21: Earthquake and madness in Arabia; Lycurgos is blinded797 words
21.178–239Book 21: Dionysos beneath the sea; a Satyr carries his message to Deriades532 words
21.240–345Book 21: Deriades' answer; Dionysos returns; the ambush at the Hydaspes1041 words
22.0–81Book 22: Bacchic wonders at the Hydaspes; Hera sows fear of poisoned water732 words
22.82–206Book 22: The Hamadryad reveals the ambush; the battle begins1201 words
22.207–292Book 22: Aiacos is saved by Athena's clouds; Earth laments the slaughter789 words
22.293–401Book 22: The pursuit; the Hydaspes runs with blood984 words
23.0–75Book 23: Aiacos and Dionysos slaughter the Indians in the river723 words
23.76–161Book 23: The river receives the dead; the Bacchic army crosses786 words
23.162–224Book 23: Hydaspes calls on his brother rivers566 words
23.225–320Book 23: Dionysos threatens the river and sets it on fire940 words
24.0–61Book 24: Zeus restrains Dionysos; Hydaspes pleads573 words
24.62–178Book 24: The gods carry the Bacchic host over; Thureus reports to Deriades1072 words
24.179–241Book 24: Lament in the Indian city; the feast and the request for a song573 words
24.242–348Book 24: Leucos sings of Aphrodite at Athena's loom1001 words
25.0–79Book 25: The poet's invocation; Dionysos set beside Perseus753 words
25.80–193Book 25: The feats of Perseus and Minos set against those of Dionysos1138 words
25.194–270Book 25: Heracles compared; the poet turns back to the war767 words
25.271–379Book 25: Dionysos downcast; Rheia's message and shield1050 words
25.380–480Book 25: The shield of Dionysos: the heavens, Thebes, Ganymede and Tylos1037 words
25.481–572Book 25: Damasen kills the dragon; the flower of Zeus restores Tylos877 words
26.0–100Book 26: Athena in disguise rouses Deriades; the Indian muster begins912 words
26.101–182Book 26: Tectaphos and his daughter; more Indian contingents794 words
26.183–295Book 26: More contingents: Areizanteia, the islanders, the silent men1037 words
26.296–378Book 26: The elephants of Oita; Deriades' lineage; the army sleeps776 words
27.0–74Book 27: Dawn rises; Deriades boasts against the gods727 words
27.75–143Book 27: Deriades' threats; the Indians march out644 words
27.144–240Book 27: The armies meet at the Indus; Dionysos arms his host858 words
27.241–341Book 27: Zeus' council of the gods on Olympos900 words
28.0–80Book 28: The fighting is renewed; Phaleneus is killed720 words
28.81–171Book 28: Clytios' challenge; Corymbasos' last stand843 words
28.172–256Book 28: The Cyclopes join the battle; Brontes fells Deriades727 words
28.257–330Book 28: Halimedes and the Corybants join the fight747 words
29.0–77Book 29: Hera inspires Deriades; Hymenaios is wounded750 words
29.78–166Book 29: Aphrodite's distress; Apollo's cure; Melaneus is wounded866 words
29.167–290Book 29: Hymenaios fights on; the women join the battle1116 words
29.291–381Book 29: At the ford; Rheia's dream sends Ares away857 words
30.0–99Book 30: Morrheus wounds Eurymedon; Hephaistos' fire and Hydaspes' rescue891 words
30.100–159Book 30: Morrheus kills Phlogios; Eurymedon kills Tectaphos568 words
30.160–242Book 30: Tectaphos' daughter laments; Morrheus' slaughter; Dionysos retreats774 words
30.243–326Book 30: Athena shames Dionysos back into the fight779 words
31.0–69Book 31: Hera appeals to Persephone against Dionysos669 words
31.70–131Book 31: Megaira is lent to Hera; Iris goes to find Sleep605 words
31.132–198Book 31: Iris, in the shape of Night, persuades Sleep638 words
31.199–282Book 31: Hera borrows the cestus of Aphrodite804 words
32.0–58Book 32: Hera takes the cestus and goes to Zeus567 words
32.59–150Book 32: Zeus yields to Hera; Megaira drives Dionysos mad851 words
32.151–220Book 32: Deriades attacks the Bacchants while Dionysos is mad694 words
32.221–299Book 32: Morrheus routs the Bacchic army; the leaders flee692 words
33.0–104Book 33: Pasithea tells Aphrodite of Dionysos' madness; Eros at play943 words
33.105–194Book 33: Aglaia's message; Eros wounds Morrheus with desire857 words
33.195–279Book 33: Morrheus lovesick; the Indian camp by night794 words
33.280–387Book 33: Morrheus' sleepless night; Thetis counsels Chalcomede997 words
34.0–88Book 34: Morrheus confesses his love to Hyssacos830 words
34.89–161Book 34: Morrheus' dream of Chalcomede; the Bacchic host marches in dread669 words
34.162–248Book 34: Morrheus takes Bassarids captive; Deriades' threats; a captive's death842 words
34.249–358Book 34: Morrheus drives the captives into the city; he spares Chalcomede1056 words
35.0–78Book 35: Deriades' slaughter inside the city; an Indian soldier and a dying Bassarid772 words
35.79–203Book 35: Morrheus lays down his arms for Chalcomede; Aphrodite mocks Ares1177 words
35.204–318Book 35: A serpent guards Chalcomede; Hermes frees the Bacchants; Zeus rebukes Hera1082 words
35.319–391Book 35: Hera heals Dionysos; he rallies his host669 words
36.0–95Book 36: Dionysos recovers; the gods take sides883 words
36.96–197Book 36: Hermes ends the gods' quarrel; the armies close944 words
36.198–272Book 36: Hard fighting; the giant Colletes killed by a Bacchant's stone688 words
36.273–390Book 36: Dionysos changes shape against Deriades and binds him with vines1079 words
36.391–480Book 36: Ships are built for the sea-battle; Morrheus' speech; a truce845 words
37.0–102Book 37: The burial of the Indian dead1015 words
37.103–235Book 37: Funeral games: the prizes and the chariot-race entrants1272 words
37.236–421Book 37: The chariot race: Erechtheus passes Scelmis; Actaion upsets Phaunos1834 words
37.422–519Book 37: The chariot race ends; the boxing begins894 words
37.520–666Book 37: Boxing ends; wrestling and the foot-race1410 words
37.667–778Book 37: Throwing the weight; archery; the javelin1061 words
38.0–102Book 38: An omen at midday; Idmon and Hermes interpret it990 words
38.103–211Book 38: Hermes' tale: the birth and youth of Phaethon1075 words
38.212–317Book 38: Phaethon begs for the chariot; Helios' instructions1048 words
38.318–434Book 38: Phaethon's drive and fall; the Heliades become trees1073 words
39.0–129Book 39: The fleet arrives; Deriades and Dionysos address their men1233 words
39.130–211Book 39: The sea-battle begins; prayers for help from Zeus and Boreas765 words
39.212–294Book 39: The fight at sea; the gods look on756 words
39.295–407Book 39: The sea-battle: arrows, the fire-ship and the Indian retreat1020 words
40.0–95Book 40: Deriades is killed in the Hydaspes934 words
40.96–194Book 40: The women of Deriades' house lament936 words
40.195–297Book 40: Deriades' widow laments; Dionysos leaves for Tyre967 words
40.298–365Book 40: Dionysos in Tyre, the city of Cadmos673 words
40.366–492Book 40: Dionysos hymns Heracles, god of the Tyrian temple1229 words
40.493–580Book 40: The first ship and the founding of Tyre; the nymphs and Eros818 words
41.0–118Book 41: Beroe, the oldest city, where Aphrodite first landed1169 words
41.119–211Book 41: Eros is born at Beroe; the birth of Beroe887 words
41.212–337Book 41: Beroe's upbringing; Aphrodite seeks Harmonia's counsel1216 words
41.338–427Book 41: The tablets of Ophion; Aphrodite urges Eros to strike the gods874 words
42.1–123Book 42: Eros shoots Dionysos and Poseidon with love for Beroe1150 words
42.124–195Book 42: Dionysos, disguised as a hunter, is tongue-tied before Beroe685 words
42.196–321Book 42: Pan's advice and Dionysos' failed wooing1313 words
42.322–437Book 42: Dionysos dreams of Beroe and reveals himself1152 words
42.438–542Book 42: Poseidon woos Beroe; Aphrodite sets the contest and the oaths1027 words
43.0–142Book 43: The battle of sea and vine begins1310 words
43.143–224Book 43: Poseidon's threats; the Tritons and Pan fight on the waves760 words
43.225–306Book 43: Proteus, Nereus and the Rivers join the fray740 words
43.307–449Book 43: Zeus ends the battle; Poseidon weds Beroe; Eros consoles Dionysos1293 words
44.0–79Book 44: Dionysos reaches Thebes; omens and Agaue's dream731 words
44.80–183Book 44: Teiresias' sacrifice, the snakes of Cadmos, and Pentheus' defiance991 words
44.184–252Book 44: Dionysos prays to Selene for help against Pentheus628 words
44.253–318Book 44: The Furies and Dionysos drive the Theban women to the mountain598 words
45.0–95Book 45: Agaue runs to the mountain; Pentheus rebukes Teiresias929 words
45.96–168Book 45: Teiresias tells the story of the Tyrsenian pirates675 words
45.169–272Book 45: The giant Alpos; Pentheus binds a bull instead of Dionysos994 words
45.273–358Book 45: The Bacchants break free; fire in Pentheus' palace754 words
46.0–96Book 46: Pentheus questions Dionysos and is persuaded to dress as a woman970 words
46.97–209Book 46: Pentheus in women's dress climbs the tree on Cithaeron1054 words
46.210–264Book 46: Agaue kills Pentheus and shows his head to Cadmos545 words
46.265–369Book 46: Agaue's lament; Dionysos leaves Thebes for Athens1015 words
47.0–115Book 47: Dionysos in Attica gives wine to Icarios1055 words
47.116–255Book 47: The death of Icarios and the stars of Erigone and Icarios1348 words
47.256–363Book 47: Dionysos finds Ariadne asleep on Naxos1036 words
47.364–495Book 47: Ariadne's lament; her marriage to Dionysos; the madness of Argos1253 words
47.496–593Book 47: An Argive taunts Dionysos; Hera arms Perseus893 words
47.594–741Book 47: Dionysos fights Perseus; Hermes ends the war; Argos honours the god1407 words
48.0–181Book 48: The Giants attack Dionysos; he wrestles Pallene1747 words
48.182–327Book 48: Dionysos kills Sithon and weds Pallene; the huntress Aura1374 words
48.328–473Book 48: Aura insults Artemis; Nemesis is sent against her1415 words
48.474–652Book 48: Dionysos' wine-spring and the sleeping Aura1724 words
48.653–810Book 48: Aura's madness and her labour1535 words
48.811–978Book 48: Aura's twins; her transformation; Iacchos and the end of Dionysos' wanderings1605 words

English translation by W. H. D. Rouse (1940). Original text: W. H. D. Rouse (ed.), Nonnos, Dionysiaca, Loeb Classical Library 344, 354, 356, London: Heinemann; Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1940-1942 (Greek text as digitised by Perseus).

Greek text and translation from the Perseus Digital Library, Tufts University, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Perseus Digital Library, Greek text); translation public domain (Rouse, Loeb 1940-42: US copyright not renewed; Rouse died 1950; OCR from the Internet Archive scans). Introductions, summaries and notes © GreekMythology.com.

Dionysiaca

Contents · 213 passages

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