Roman Bacchanals (4th century BCE – 186 CE)
The Romans were so good at wild parties that modern parties reaching highest level of rowdiness are named after them. The Romans adapted the Greek Dionysian Mysteries to celebrate Bacchus, Dionysus’ Roman counterpart. In the early years, the secret rites were held only three days a year and were only open to women. Over time, they increased to five nights a month, and men were invited. That is when things started to go wild.
The rites became drunken parties with too-loud music, wine and other drugs flowing freely, animal sacrifice, and orgiastic coitus. The rites were open to all social classes, anyone who wanted to rebel against “civil, moral, and religious law.” In 186 CE, the Roman Senate found the cult and its rituals at odds with the official Roman religion. The Senate banned the cult, destroying its temples, persecuted its followers and leaders, but the legend lives on.
