Bacchus was the ancient Greco-Roman god of wine and festivity. He was accompanied by satyrs (representing lust) and maenads (dancing girls or nymphs). He was taught by Silenus, who is often shown in Bacchus' entourage as old, fat and riding on a donkey. Bacchus is sometimes shown in a chariot pulled by leopards. His consort was the princess Ariadne.
Bacchus and his followers are associated with orgies, hence 'Bacchanals' are pictures showing satyrs and nymphs carousing and cavorting.
