BACCHANALIA, feasts celebrated in honour of
Bacchus by the ancients. The two most remarkable
were called the greater and lesser. The latter called
lenæa, from a word signifying a wine-prefs, were held
in the open fields about autumn; the greater, called
Dionysia, from one of the names of Bacchus, were ce-
lebrated in the city, about the spring-time. Both these
feasts were accompanied with games, spectacles, and
theatrical representations; and it was at this time the
poets contended for the prize of poetry. Those who
were initiated into the celebration of these feasts, re-
presented, some Silenus; others, Pan; others, Satyrs;
and in this manner appeared in public, night and day,
counterfeiting drunkenness, dancing obsequiously, and
committing all kinds of licentiousness and debauchery.
See BACCHUS.