A Night of Wildness, A Morning of Mercy

The Women of Amphissa, 1887

Imagine waking up in a strange town, exhausted from the night before, with no idea where you are.

That’s exactly what happened to a group of maenads, women devoted to Dionysus, the god of wine and revelry, who had danced through the night and unknowingly wandered into the city of Amphissa.

They collapsed in the marketplace, completely unaware of their surroundings.

Instead of being judged or turned away, the local women of Amphissa gathered around them, quietly standing guard to protect them from passing soldiers.

They waited patiently until the maenads woke, ensuring they were safe.

Painted in 1887 by Lawrence Alma-Tadema, The Women of Amphissa captures this quiet act of kindness and solidarity in stunning detail—curious gazes, protective gestures, and the contrast between the refined city women and the wild, uninhibited maenads.

It’s a moment frozen in time, telling a story of compassion without a single word.

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