An almost intact terracotta mask depicting the Greek God of Wine ‘Dionysus’ was discovered on the Acropolis of the ancient city of Daskyleion in Western Turkey (Ancient Greek land) by a team led by Kaan of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University.
The mask probably dates to the end of the fourth century BC, when, following Alexander the Great’s invasion of the region in 334 B.C., the multicultural city, previously dominated by the Phrygians, Lydians, and Persians, was subject to Greek influence.
Dionysus was the patron of theatre and impersonation, in addition to his position as the god of wine and fertility. Masks were traditional components of deity-honoring rituals and were often worn during cult ceremonies by his followers.
Ancient legend has it that wearing a mask allowed the followers of Dionysus to free themselves from hidden wishes and buried regrets and lifted them to a state of uninhibited ecstasy.
Researchers assume that this unique mask was offered to the God during winemaking.
