Semele

Also known as: Thyone · Role: mother of Dionysus · First appears: Homeric Hymn I · To Dionysus

Semele, also known as Thyone, is the mother of Dionysus. In the Homeric Hymn I, his birth is described as remote from men and secret from Hera. In the Homeric Hymn VII, Dionysus says that “Cadmus’ daughter Semele bare” him through her union with Zeus.

Relationship record

Homeric Hymn I · To Dionysus

• child: Dionysus (The hymn also explicitly says Semele bore Dionysus to Zeus.) “And others yet, lord, say you were born in Thebes; but all these lie. The Father of men and gods gave you birth remote from men and secretly from white-armed Hera.”

Homeric Hymn VII · To Dionysus

• child: Dionysus “I am loud-crying Dionysus whom Cadmus’ daughter Semele bare of union with Zeus.”
• parent: Cadmus “I am loud-crying Dionysus whom Cadmus’ daughter Semele bare of union with Zeus.”

Homeric Hymn XXVI · To Dionysus

• child: Dionysus “splendid son of Zeus and glorious Semele.”

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Extracted from the original text of Hesiod and Homerica. Made with Rho MD.