Roman Head of Bacchus Mosaic Panel

1st century BC-1st century AD. A discoid mosaic panel in a modern matrix with metal frame, depicting the facing bust of Bacchus with fruit and foliage in the hair, executed in earth tones with cream field and brown border; central panel from a larger design. 13.2 kg, 75cm (29 1/2"). Property of a European gentleman; formerly in a German private collection formed in the 1950-1970s. Bacchus was the Roman name for the Greek deity Dionysus, a god who originally came from Thrace. He was closely associated with wine, fertility and the harvest, as well as being patron god of theatres and actors. A mystery cult developed around him that was extremely popular in the Greek and Roman periods, but which was viewed with suspicion by the authorities for its bending of social conventions. The mystery cults were based on sacred stories that often involved the ritual re-enactment of a death-rebirth myth of a particular divinity. In addition to the promise of a better afterlife, mystery cults fostered social bonds among the participants, called mystai. The followers of Dionysus derived many of their eschatological beliefs and ritual prescriptions from Orphic literature, a corpus of theogonic poems and hymns. The mythical Thracian poet Orpheus, the archetypical musician, theologian, and mystagogue, was credited with the introduction of the mysteries into the Greek world. References by Herodotus and Euripides attest to the existence of certain Bacchic-Orphic beliefs and practices: itinerant religion specialists and purveyors of secret knowledge, called Orpheotelestai, performed the teletai, private rites for the remission of sins. For the Orphics, Dionysus was a saviour god with redeeming qualities. He was the son of Zeus and Persephone and successor to his throne. When the Titans attacked and dismembered the baby Dionysus, Zeus in retaliation destroyed the perpetrators with his thunderbolt. From the Titans’ ashes the human race was born, burdened by their Titan inheritance which could only be destroyed through the ecstatic worship of Dionysus. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.]
Condition Report: Very fine condition.