The Bacchantes

A severe drought grips Thebes, sparking widespread discontent. The prophet Tiresias blames Dionysus' anger and accuses King Pentheus of failing to revere the god, tying the dry season to divine wrath. The city grows restless as crops fail and public unrest spreads.

Manto, daughter of Tiresias, gives water to a stranger who reciprocates with wine sacred to Dionysus. She confides in Dirce about their unhappy destinies: Manto will become a virgin sacred to Demeter, and Dirce longs for a life free from the court.

An omen reported by a priest reveals Lacdamos will wed a virgin sacred to Demeter, and their son will rule Thebes. Lacdamos is actually the son of Ino, hidden and raised as a servant to preserve Pentheus's throne.

To avert the prophecy and quell growing unrest, Pentheus orders the sacrifice of Manto to Demeter to secure a bountiful harvest. Dirce pleads against it, but her appeal only confirms her devotion to Lacdamos.

On Tiresias's suggestion, Dirce drinks the sacred wine and goes with other women to Mount Cithaeron. There she meets the stranger who first gave Manto the wine, setting in motion events that will upend Thebes.

The stranger stirs the people to turn against Pentheus, fueling a growing chorus of dissent. A lightning bolt suddenly blocks the priest's hand as he prepares to kill Manto, signaling divine interference.

Theban youths travel to Cithaeron to celebrate bacchanalia in honor of Dionysus and to herald the marriage of Manto and Lacdamos. The rites intensify the god's influence over the city and overturn existing orders.

The stranger reveals Lacdamos is Pentheus's cousin and the legitimate king of Thebes. The revelation means he can wed Manto under Theban law even though she is consecrated to Demeter.

Pentheus sends soldiers to Cithaeron and imprisons the rebels. The stranger escapes but is captured again the next day at the palace before Pentheus's wedding; to appease the crowds, the god allows most prisoners to go free, sparing only Manto and Lacdamos.

Dirce visits the chained stranger and learns that he is Dionysus, who will soon depart his mortal body. The revelation deepens the god's power and foreshadows his ascent.

Tiresias informs Polycrates that Lacdamos is the true king, and Polycrates' soldiers free Lacdamos and Manto and join the Bacchae in the fight against Pentheus' army.

Lacdamos defeats Pentheus in a duel and becomes the new king of Thebes. Dionysus secures his triumph over mortal authority as the city submits to the god's will.

Dionysus ascends to godhood, sealing his dominance over Thebes. Dirce is anointed to lead the Bacchae, signaling a transformative, god-driven future for the city.