Ampelos is a Minor figure in Greek mythology that is often associated with Dionysus, the Greek god of wine, ecstasy and revelry. According to Greek sources, Ampelos was a beautiful young Satyr who was involved in a romantic relationship with Dionysus.
Although the young Satyr died untimely, he is regarded as the personification of the grapevine or the constellation Vindemetor.
Origin of Ampelos
According to the Dionysiaca (a series of poems by Nonnus of Panopolis), Ampelos’ father was a Satyrus, and his mother a river Nymph. Though little is mentioned about his origins, these texts provide insight into his parentage.
The young Satyr grew up with his family in the forest of the Phrygian hills. He later moved to the countryside in Lydia, where Dionysus found him.
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Ampelos and Dionysus: A Forgotten Love Story.
Although not very popular, the Love Story of Ampelos is one of the most dramatic and tragic stories in Greek mythology. It has a strong theme of homosexuality, which was not uncommon in ancient Greek mythology. It also has lessons about pride, envy, and stubbornness.
Dionysus’s first encounter with Ampelos
According to Nonnus, Dionysus first met Ampelos during one of his wild hunts in the cool shades of the Lydian forest. Ampelos was yet to be touched by the signs of manhood, and Dionysus was immediately struck by the boy’s radiant appearance.
Dionysus concealed his divine appearance and spoke to Ampelous as a man, confessing his admiration for his beauty and his desire to take him as a romantic partner.
Here is a direct quote of Dionysious’ words to Ampelos from the Dionysiaca as translated by W.H.D Rouse.
“What father begat you? What immortal womb brought you forth? Which of the Graces gave you birth? What handsome Apollo made you? Tell me, my friend, do not hide your kin. If you come to another Eros, unwinged, without arrows, without a quiver, which of the Blessed slept with Aphrodite and bred you? But indeed, I Tremble to name Cypris as your mother, for I would not call Hephaistos or Ares your father.
If you are the one they call Hermes, come from the sky. Show me your light wings and the lively soles of your shoes. How is it you wear the hair uncut falling along your neck? Can you be Phoibos himself come to me without harp, without a bow, Phoibos shaking the locks of his unshorn hair unbound! If Cronides begat me, and you are from a mortal stock, if you have the short living blood of the horned Satyrs, be king at my side, a mortal with a god, for your looks will not disgrace the heavenly blood of Lyaios.”
The Dionysus’s Relationship with Ampelos
Ampelos was delighted with the words of Dionysus and immediately became acquainted with him. The pair spent a lot of time together playing music and wrestling playfully. According to Nounnes, Dionysus was so obsessed that his face was filled with melancholy when Ampelos was not with him.
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While Ampelos played games with his mates, Dionysus watched in secret and helped him with his powers as he could not bear to see his lover lose. Dionysus was so envious and afraid that another person would seduce the young Satyr that he could not allow the young Satyr.
Dionysus, being a god, knew that Ampelos would eventually die untimely. He had been shown the boy’s fate in a dream, but he hoped and prayed to Zeus to protect him. He also tries to get Ampelos to stop his dangerous Satyr games, but the boy’s playful spirit will not allow him.
Ate’s Trick on Ampelos
The fairytale love affair did not last. One afternoon, Ampelos saw Dionysus in his carriage driven by panthers and became jealous. Although the god warned him against this jealousy and even promised him his own ride, Ampelos listened with only his ear and not his mind.
Soon, Ate, the goddess of delusion and blind folly, visited Ampelos. She convinced him that Dionysus had been unfair to him in their relationship. After all, he had been a faithful and loving partner, and the god would not share his Magnificent ride with him.
Instead of waiting for Dionysus, Ate promised to make Ampelos the master of a wild bull. On the back of such a powerful animal, even Dionysus will be forced to applaud the young Satyr. Even before the goddess finished her promises, a stray bull approached Ampelos and stood looking at the boy as if he knew him.
Ampelos’ Death
Ampelos was delighted with the thought of riding the mountain-ranging bull. He fashioned a bridle and a wipe from the crawling plants and mounted the animal. He held on to the bridle and swung his make-believe whip on the bull’s side.
Ampelos’s pride became too much, and he talked rudely to Selene, the bull-faced moon goddess.
“Give me best, Selene, horned driver of cattle! Now I am both – I have horns, and I ride a bull!”
Looking down, Selene saw the boy’s folly and sent a Cattle-chasing gadfly to irritate the murderous bull. The bull galloped through the forest in anger and tried to throw its rider off its back.
Now realizing the mortal danger, Ampelos appealed to the bull using these words;
“Stop for today, my bull. You shall have a quick run tomorrow! Don’t kill me high on these deserted rocks or let me die so that Dionysus never hears of my fate! Don’t be angry that I gilded your horns, dear bull; do not grudge that he keeps my love.
But if you must kill me and flout Dionysos, if you have no pity for your sorrowful rider because I am young, because I am a friend to Lyaios, take me back to the Satyrs, and you shall destroy me there, that when I am dead there, I may have many tears on my ashes.”
Ampelos’s plea did not help him. The bull threw him to the ground and broke his neck. It then pinned him with his sharp horns and killed him.
Dionysus’s Grief
As soon as Dionysus heard of Ampelos’s death, he rushed to the scene, swift as the wind. When the god arrived and saw his lover lying lifeless in the dust, his heart shattered.
Dionysus tenderly dressed Ampelos’ cold body in a fawnskin, placed buskins on his feet, and sprinkled roses and lilies upon him, adorning him with a garland of fragile anemone flowers.
As a final tribute, Dionysus placed his purple robe over Ampelos and laid a lock of his uncut hair on the boy’s lifeless chest.
Dionysus, known for his cheer, now had no smile on his face. The god mourned deeply, lamenting how nature, in the form of the bull, had taken Ampelos from him.
He vowed to avenge Ampelos’ death, promising to slay the bull that had caused his beloved’s demise, though this act could not bring back the boy he so deeply cherished.
Dionysus eventually transformed the boy into a grapevine so he’d always remain with him.