Dionysus

Dionysus in Myth Countless books and articles have been written about the Greek god Dionysus (also spelled Dionysos). Many of these works come to the same conclusion - Dionysus is an atypical Greek deity. While the Olympian gods are bright beings of sunlight, Dionysus is a creature of mystery, his very essence an enigma. His realm is shadowy, and his followers flirt with madness, drunkenness, and death. He is the patron deity of the Maenads. …

…The lion attacked the captain of the ship, and seeing this, the remaining crew sought to escape by jumping overboard. As they did this, they were changed into dolphins by the god. Only the helmsman, who had recognized the divinity of Dionysus, was spared, and the deity spoke to that man: "Courage! ... you are dear to my heart. I am loud-roaring Dionysus, born of the daughter of Kadmos, Semele, who mingled in love with Zeus.”