Hymn to Dionysos

The poet begins with a list of several proposed locations for the birth of Dionysos, all of which are located in the Greek-Aegean world (Drakonen, Ikaros, Naxos, Alpheios, and Thebes). This suggests that the cult of Dionysos was at least widespread in the Greek world. When the poet offers Nysa as his chosen location for the event, he reveals something more of his geographical bias: Nysa is described as "far off in Phoenicia, near the streams of Egypt." Apparently, in his mind Phoenicia and Egypt both simply represent "a land far, far away", and there is no need for a meaningful distinction between them, all of which is further emphasized by the poet's insistence that it is far removed from human contact.

Also of note is the poet's use of stock phrases from the Iliad and Odyssey, which may help to explain the connection of these poems with Homer. Zeus is "father of men and gods," and Hera is "white-armed Hera." I do not know an exact Homeric parallel, but the entire stanza in which Zeus bows his head in assent also reminds one of the old bard's poems. I suspect that this whole stanza is lifted from Homer.

There are multiple references to Dionysos as a bull-god, but I need to do some more research to determine the significance of this.

The fact that this poem comes first in the collection is to be explained by the reference to Dionysos as the patron god of poets. The idea is that the creativity of the master poet can only be explained by being overcome by the madness of the god. Later, and even in Hesiod, this power is connected with the Muses, more minor deities. Homer of course had invoked a goddess, so is this poem very early, or very late? Certainly the great drama festival in Athens, whose authors were also considered poets, was connected with Dionysos, as was the theater itself.