< Dionysus, son of Semele >

1 Origin

In 1400 BC, Dionysus was born in Haliartus.

Dionysus's mother was Semele, daughter of Cadmus.

2 Other

2.1 Conflict among Cadmus' descendants

Dionysus killed Pentheus, son of Agave, daughter of Cadmus.

Pentheus killed Polydorus, who succeeded Cadmus, and it is believed that this was due to a power struggle in Cadmeia.

2.2 Haliartus, Place of Birth

From the following legends, it is assumed that Dionysus was born in Haliartus.

1) The newborn Dionysus was washed by his nurse in the spring of Cissusa in Haliartus.

2) Thebans, who were captured by the Thracians, were rescued by the god Dionysus in Haliartus.

2.3 Father of Dionysus

At the time of Dionysus' birth, Haliartus had not yet been founded, and was inhabited by the Hyantes, who were fighting against Cadmus.

It is believed that the battle between Cadmus and the Hyantes was protracted, and that Semele was taken prisoner by the Hyantes, at which point Dionysus was born.

Presumably, the battle between Cadmus and Hyantes was protracted, and Semele was presumably taken prisoner by Hyantes and Dionysus was born.