Maenads

Maenads, also called Bacchantes, are female followers of the Greek god Dionysus, associated with wine, revelry, and ecstasy. They often participated in wild, frenzied celebrations, sometimes entering states of trance or madness fueled by wine and divine inspiration. Depicted in mythology and art, Maenads symbolize the liberation and chaos of ecstatic devotion, embodying both the joy and danger of losing oneself in divine enthusiasm. Their rituals included dancing, singing, and sometimes tearing apart animals as offerings. Overall, they represent the wild, ecstatic side of ancient Greek religious practices dedicated to Dionysus.