The Relationship Between Cult, Architecture, and Royal Policy in the Context of Dionysos Temples
Chapter from the book: Uysal, D. (ed.) 2025. New Horizons in Tourism: An Interdisciplinary Approach.

Hayat Çelik

Synopsis

This study examines the cult of Dionysos within a comprehensive framework that integrates its mythological, ritual, and architectural dimensions, analyzing the deity’s cultic practices in Ancient Greece and Anatolia throughout their historical development. Despite Dionysos’ relatively late incorporation into the Greek pantheon, his decisive role in the formation of the tragic tradition and the wide geographic dispersion of his cult practices constitute one of the principal axes of the study. Major festivals such as the City Dionysia, Anthesteria, Rural Dionysia, and Lenaia are evaluated in detail through epigraphic evidence, ancient literary sources, and archaeological findings, with particular attention to ritual structure, sacrificial practices, phallic symbolism, dramatic contests, and sacred marriage (hieros gamos) ceremonies. The study further analyzes Dionysos temples at Naxos Yria, Delos Stoibadeion, Knidos, Thebes, Baalbek, and Side in terms of architectural layout, building phases, cult statues, and their political–social functions, thereby revealing the spatial representation of the deity. The transformations these temples underwent from the Hellenistic and Roman periods through Byzantium are examined with regard to cult continuity and interactions with local identities. Ultimately, the study presents a comprehensive and interdisciplinary account of the ritual dynamism, architectural repertoire, and role of the Dionysian cult in the production of political legitimacy.

How to cite this book

Çelik, H. (2025). The Relationship Between Cult, Architecture, and Royal Policy in the Context of Dionysos Temples. In: Uysal, D. (ed.), New Horizons in Tourism: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1110.c4485

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Published

December 29, 2025

DOI