| Maenad | |
|---|---|
| [[{{{image}}}|300px]] | |
| Basic Info | |
| Description | Immortal servants of Dioynsus |
| First Seen | Living Dead in Dallas |
| Notable Powers | Mind control Conjuring poisoning |
Maenads were the immortal female followers of Dionysus in Greek mythology. Their name literally translates as "Raving ones." The Maenads or Bacchants are women sacred to Dionysus and maddened by his inspiring power. In Greek mythology, a maenad is a female follower of the Greek god Dionysus. In the series universe, however, a maenad is a creature whose blood is corrosive to vampires. In Harris universe, maenads are rare "ancient creatures" of the supernatural community that are divinely powerful, immortal, and chaotic neutrals. They can control any creature through madness and demand tribute. When they rave they go on rampages, and sometimes tear humans and animals to shreds. They can be cannibalistic at times.
History[]
In "The Southern Vampire Mysteries", at the beginning of the book Living Dead in Dallas, Sookie Stackhouse meets Callisto, who is accompanied by a feral razorback pig, in the woods. Callisto wants tribute from Eric Northman and, in order to convey this message, Callisto claws Sookie, which poisons her blood. The maenad appears for the last time at the secret sex party at the end of the book. The drunkenness and the lust of the party participants attract her. She kills Mike Spencer and the Hardaways (who are revealed to have killed Lafayette Reynolds), and most of the other party-goers, leaving a mess behind, which Bill and Eric clean up.
In mythology, the maenads would dress in fawn skins and carry a Thyrsus, a long stick wrapped in ivy or vine leaves and tipped by a cluster of leaves; weave ivy-wreaths around their heads; and often handle or wear snakes. Maenads were also known as a type of nymph, immortal goddesses of natural manifestations; Maenads being the extremes of pleasurable emotions and actions: sex, rage, inebriation, frenzy etc.
Known Maenads[]
- Callisto
- Phryne