ProfessorBettanyHughesinvestigatesthestoryofBacchus,godofwine,revelry,theatreandexcess,travellingtoGeorgia,Jordan,GreeceandBritaintodiscoverhisoriginsandhispresenceinthemodernworld,andexplorehow'losingoneself'playsavitalroleinthedevelopmentofcivilisation.
Inthisfascinatingjourney,BettanybeginsinGeorgiawhereshediscoversevidenceoftheworld'soldestwineproduction,andtheroleitmayhaveplayedinbuildingcommunities.InAthenssherevealsBacchus'spivotalroleinasocietywherehisecstaticworshipwasembracedbyallclasses,andmostimportantlywomen.OnCyprussheuncoversstartlingparallelsbetweenBacchusandChrist.Finally,Bettanyfollowsthegod'smodernembraceinNietzsche'sphilosophy,experimentaltheatreandthehedonistichippiemovementtoconcludethat,whilethisgodofecstasyisworthyofcontemporaryreconsideration,itisvitaltoheedthewarningoftheancients-"MEDENAGAN"-nothinginexcess.
