The story of Dionysos and Ariadne has its beginning, when princess Ariadne, daughter of the king Minos of Crete, helps the Athenian hero Theseus to slay the Minotaur residing in the center of the labyrinth. Ariadne gives Theseus a ball of thread whereupon Theseus ties one end of the thread to the door of the labyrinth and unfurls it as he progresses inside. After slaying the Minotaur and escaping from the labyrinth using Ariadne’s thread, he sets sail to return to Athens taking Ariadne with him. The ship stops on the island of Naxos where Ariadne falls asleep and is abandoned by Theseus.

Ariadne disconsolately wanders the shores of Naxos, vainly looking for her lost lover Theseus. She is surprised by Dionysos and his inebriated and noisy entourage. Dionysos, the god of wine, falls in love with Ariadne and offers her marriage with the promise of a crown of stars, the Northern Crown or Corona Borealis, as a wedding gift.

Antioch Mosaic, circa 300 C.E.,
Worcester Art Museum, Worcester, MA, 11/29/19