Relief with a portrait and procession of satyrs and maenads (Thiasus)

myminifactory

The sculpture is a relief from a Roman tombstone, showcasing a portrait of the deceased surrounded by rowdy processions of satyrs and maenads, commonly referred to as thiasus. In ancient Greek mythology and spirituality, the thiasus (Greek for "band of revelers") was Dionysus' ecstatic entourage, often depicted as drunken revelers. Many myths surrounding Dionysus revolve around his arrival in the form of a procession. Regular members of this entourage included various nature spirits, such as sileni (or humans dressed as such), numerous phalluses on display, satyrs, and Pan. The ithyphallic sileni are frequently shown dancing wildly.